Suzanne Clark

President and CEO at U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Last year marked Ireland’s 50th anniversary in the European Community. Now, as we look to the year ahead and the challenges and opportunities of the next half-century, we remain committed to fostering even deeper bonds of friendship and a stronger commercial relationship between the United States and Ireland.

The special partnership between our nations is evident in the business we do together. Ireland represents the gateway to Europe for American businesses, with pro-growth policies that support open international trade and foster innovation. U.S. companies directly employ 210,000 people in Ireland and indirectly support another 167,000 jobs, contributing significantly to the local economy. Similarly, Irish firms employ over 100,000 people in the U.S., making Ireland the 9th largest source of foreign direct investment in the United States.

In addition to our business ties, the bonds between our nations extend to our people and our governments. We are united by shared values—our commitment to democracy, free enterprise, and the rule of law. Standing up for these values is more important than ever as we face rising geopolitical tensions—from the ongoing war in Ukraine to unrest in the Middle East—and upcoming elections in both the U.S. and EU. In this time of global challenge and uncertainty, the world needs Ireland and America to lead.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is honored to partner with our friends at AmCham Ireland to advance U.S.-Ireland business ties and global leadership.

Together, we are dedicated to the enduring friendship between our nations, and we look forward to seeing this relationship grow even stronger and foster mutual prosperity for many years to come.