Four in five (80%) US businesses with operations in Ireland have said they would continue to view Ireland as an investment location if America imposed tariffs on the EU.
Nine in 10 (90%) respondents to a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce said their corporate headquarters also holds a positive view of Ireland as a location for investment.
A further 63% of selected companies view Ireland's highly educated and skilled talent pool as the country's main competitive advantage.
However, housing supply (34%), cost competitiveness (28%), skills shortages (13%), R&D tax incentives (11%), and talent attraction (6%) were cited as the main challenges for US businesses in Ireland.
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of American companies are currently experiencing a skills gap in Ireland, and all respondents agreed certainty with regard to the availability of highly skilled talent is important to maintaining FDI employment in Ireland.
US businesses experienced the greatest skills gaps in digital and data (23%), engineering (21%), machine learning and AI (19%) cyber (12%), and construction (7%).
An overwhelming majority of 96% said EU investment in AI is important to ensuring Ireland remains a destination of choice for investment, including 51% who said it was extremely or very important.
A further 94% said Ireland's position as a regulatory hub within the EU is important to the country becoming a leader in AI and maintaining its position as an investment destination, including 60% who said it is extremely or very important.
Similarly, 96% of respondents said it was important for Ireland and the EU to meet their sustainability targets to maintain competitiveness, and 100% said energy security was important for maintaining investment in Ireland, including 77% who said it was extremely or very important.
The research has been released by the American Chamber to mark its Global Business Conference in Dublin.
"As Ireland looks to grow inward investment and enhance the US-Ireland relationship, we must focus on addressing the challenges and opportunities that currently exist for business and talent, particularly housing, infrastructure and cost-competitiveness," said Paul Sweetman, CEO of the American Chamber.
"And while much has changed these past six months, a new government in Ireland, a new EU Commission, a new Administration in the US, addressing these competitiveness challenges, above all else, will be the most significant factor impacting our future, long-term economic growth."
1/5 AmCham CEO Paul Sweetman has kicked off AmCham’s 2025 Global Business Conference here at Croke Park
Looking to the “exceptional growth” seen in the two-way US-Ireland business relationship over the last 40 years, pic.twitter.com/TvdE5zrMBm
— American Chamber (@AmericanChamber) February 26, 2025
*This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.
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