Simon Harris to meet US commerce secretary in Washington DC

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Tánaiste Simon Harris is due to meet US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick as part of a diplomatic trip to the States.

Mr Harris, the Foreign Affairs Minister, travelled to New York to attend the UN High-Level Week.

He is to take part in several meetings in Washington DC on Thursday and officially open a new Irish embassy in the US capital.

Our embassy is a testament not just to the shared history between our two countries, but an expression of our aspiration and ambition for a bright future together

Mr Harris said there is “no greater sign of the importance of the Irish-US relationship than the opening of Ireland’s new embassy, next to the White House”.

“Our embassy is a testament not just to the shared history between our two countries, but an expression of our aspiration and ambition for a bright future together.

“It reflects Ireland’s expanding footprint right across the United States, where we now have a network of eight consulates general.

“I look forward to meeting Howard Lutnick, United States secretary of commerce, and discussing how we can protect and deepen our mutually beneficial economic relationship.

“Not only is the US investing in Ireland, but Ireland is investing in the US.

“We are now the fifth largest source of foreign direct investment in America. Across every region of the union, Irish companies have created 200,000 American jobs.

“To that end, I am also delighted today to launch an economic impact report which maps Ireland’s economic footprint across the United States, capturing not only the trade flows between our two countries, but also our research partnerships and tourism figures, and significantly, the remarkable scale of Irish companies who have operations here.

“While I am in DC, I am looking forward to engagement with these Irish businesses whose investment in the United States forms part of our remarkable transatlantic economic ties.”

He said officials would work on a new US strategy to be published in early 2026, coinciding with 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4 1776.

Mr Harris said three signatories of that document were born on the island of Ireland.

He last met Mr Lutnick in Washington DC in April on what he said was “a very busy day” for the US administration.

A 90-day pause on higher US tariffs had been announced the previous day, which had threatened a 20 per cent tariff for the EU.

A 15 per cent tariff was later implemented under an EU-US deal, while the previous 10 per cent tariff will apply to goods that are already in transit or have been warehoused for consumption until October 5th.

The “all-inclusive” 15 per cent tariff is on most EU goods, including cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals entering the US.

There are “zero for zero” tariffs on a number of products including planes and aircraft parts, some agricultural goods and certain chemicals.