Kevin Doyle
Partner and International Tax Coordinator, BDO Ireland
Opportunities in a Shifting Global Economic Landscape
The past year has reinforced a reality many international businesses were already sensing: operating globally has become structurally more complex. Shifts in US trade policy, tariff changes, the acceleration of AI-driven business models, geopolitical uncertainty and a tightening global tax framework are no longer isolated developments. Together, they are reshaping how organisations approach growth, investment and market entry.
For companies with transatlantic ambitions, this environment creates pressure — but also opportunity. The challenge is no longer deciding where to expand, but how to do so in a way that is commercially viable, tax-efficient and resilient to regulatory change.
Ireland continues to stand out. While its position as a gateway between the US and Europe is well established, its ability to adapt increasingly underpins its relevance.
Trade and supply chains illustrate this clearly. Recent shifts in US tariff policy, evolving trade relationships with the EU and other countries, and potential renegotiation of the USMCA (US–Canada–Mexico agreement) are prompting businesses to reassess supply routes and operating models. For sectors like pharmaceutical, life sciences and technology, Ireland offers a single point of access to the EU Single Market, supported by a regulatory environment suited to complex cross-border operations. These advantages, however, only materialise when trade, customs and tax considerations are addressed together.
The same interconnectivity applies to transfer pricing. As business models become more digital and decentralised, aligning value creation with operational substance has shifted from a compliance exercise to a strategic priority. Ireland’s established TP framework allows businesses to design structures that are both defensible and commercially aligned, grounded in a clear understanding of how operations, people and intellectual property interact across jurisdictions.
Sustainability across ESG issues remains a strategic priority as businesses manage climate-related risks, costs and opportunities. While US ESG backlash and EU policy uncertainty create headwinds, regulatory, customer and investment drivers remain strong. Sustainable finance is no longer driven solely by regulation, with investors, lenders and boards embedding ESG metrics into funding decisions and long-term strategy. Ireland’s growing sustainable finance ecosystem, supported by EU initiatives and market-led innovation, creates tangible opportunities for organisations willing to integrate sustainability into their operations.
None of this is achievable without the right people. While FDI into Ireland remains robust, competition for senior leadership has intensified. Executive search plays a critical role in enabling FDI-driven market entry by securing leaders who combine local insight with global execution capability.
Trade, tax, sustainability and talent are closely linked, each influencing investment decisions and execution. Businesses that succeed are those supported by advisors who can connect these dots. At BDO Ireland, we support cross-border organisations through a fully integrated approach that combines deep local expertise with global connectivity across more than 870 offices in 169 countries. We help businesses respond to policy shifts, build resilient structures and align tax planning with broader commercial and sustainability goals.
Ireland offers a compelling platform for international growth. The organisations that benefit most are those that approach it with a clear, integrated strategy — and the right advisors around the table. For more information, visit www.bdo.ie.
