Ambassador Edward S. Walsh
US Ambassador to Ireland
The United States' historic 250th anniversary is a chance to reflect not only on our founding ideals, but on the enduring power of diplomacy and partnership in shaping our national story. The vibrant and mutually beneficial economic relationship between the United States and Ireland is a compelling expression of those values in action. U.S. investment has been transformative for Ireland's modern economy, just as the innovation, creativity, and talent of Irish companies have made a profound contribution to the success of the American economy.
To American Chamber of Commerce Ireland companies, thank you and your teams for what you do every day for the United States and Ireland. Congratulations on celebrating AmCham's 65th anniversary in 2026. Your ambition, together with the ambition of Irish companies investing in the United States, form the bedrock of this unique one trillion-dollar business relationship that spans the Atlantic Ocean. Through hard work, resilience, and ambition, you demonstrate that anything is possible.
As our economies continue to grow from strength to strength, we embrace the opportunities of doing business together: where we level the playing field for American and Irish businesses as trusted partners so that we can grow and thrive across sectors; where deregulation means more business can get done while maintaining safety standards to keep up with the accelerating pace of change; and where we embrace advancements in Al to drive innovation and national security for the benefit of people, businesses, and communities that bridge our historical relationship.
Before I arrived as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland in July last year, I was aware of the expansive relationship between our two countries. About the historical, familial, and cultural ties that span centuries. But nothing could have prepared me for the depth of the extraordinary business relationship that I have experienced first-hand across the country.
I have walked the factory-floor of American companies in Ireland, and of Irish companies that have invested in the United States. As a business person, I recognize immediately the ambition of these companies to play their part in succeeding in the global marketplace. Their ability to overcome challenges such as Brexit and the pandemic has made these companies stronger and more resilient. I share their positivity for the future and the endless possibilities for us collaborating and achieving great things together.