Consumer confidence falls as Trump targets €44bn in Irish pharma exports

The move comes just days before the EU and US engage in reciprocal tariffs on a range of items, which could end up costing the Irish economy billions

Industry leaders have urged the EU and US to pull back from a trade war, saying that tariffs on Ireland's pharmaceutical industry would be 'serious'.

Irish households' confidence in the economy has plummeted over fears of a global trade war as US president Donald Trump places Ireland's €44bn pharmaceutical exports directly in the crosshairs.

The sector has been the jewel in Ireland's outward-facing economy for half a century, employing 80,000 people. Industry leaders have urged the EU and US to pull back from a trade war, saying that tariffs on Ireland's pharmaceutical industry would be "serious".