Trump's investment push hits Europe as Irish PM eyes next tariff break

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin says President Donald Trump's push to bring corporate investment back to the United States is working, and he is positioning Ireland to remain a top European destination for American companies. In an interview with Fox Business, Martin called the president a "tough" negotiator but said Trump has delivered results as multinationals commit more money at home. Martin also has his eye on a further tariff concession after Trump's pledge to lift duties on Irish whiskey; he argued that it deserves the same treatment as Scotch.

Martin framed Trump's approach as a spur for Ireland to sharpen its competitiveness rather than a threat. He cited pharmaceuticals, medical devices, technology, an educated workforce and a government that tries to solve companies' problems instead of piling on bureaucracy.

Investment also flows the other way. Per Irish government figures, roughly 800 Irish-owned firms give jobs to over 200,000 Americans, and Irish holdings in the U.S. top $390 billion, making Ireland the fifth-largest foreign direct investor. Martin conceded Europe trails the U.S. and China on competitiveness, and said cutting regulation is a priority during Ireland's presidency of the EU Council.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox Business’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox Business →