Ireland-US trade and investment will be at the centre of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee’s programme in New York during UN General Assembly High-Level Week. Her engagements come as businesses face continued uncertainty across global markets and Ireland seeks to protect strong transatlantic economic links.
The minister’s schedule includes political, commercial and community meetings focused on investment, export growth and the wider relationship between Ireland and the United States. The programme was announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through gov.ie on 22 September 2026.
Ireland-US trade priorities take centre stage
Minister McEntee is expected to use bilateral discussions to argue for stable, predictable economic relations and fewer unnecessary barriers to business. Ireland’s open economy depends heavily on international trade, while American companies remain significant employers and investors in Ireland.
The relationship is also increasingly two-way. Irish companies are expanding in the United States, creating employment and developing new markets. The minister will meet Irish firms operating in America as well as major US companies with operations in Ireland.
The discussions follow an EU-US framework on tariffs and trade agreed in 2025, with additional implementation measures taking effect during 2026. Against this backdrop, Ireland is highlighting the importance of certainty for companies, workers and investors on both sides of the Atlantic.
Granite Digital’s US expansion
One of the scheduled meetings is with Granite Digital, an Irish company that grew from a start-up in West Cork into an international digital agency employing more than 250 people across four continents.
The minister will mark Granite’s acquisition of US brand and design agency Red Hat. The deal expands Granite’s North American presence and illustrates how Irish businesses are becoming international investors, alongside the work of agencies such as IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in supporting global commercial links.
Technology, AI and cybersecurity discussions
Minister McEntee will also meet ServiceNow, the US enterprise AI platform company. Since establishing Irish operations in 2018, the company has grown to employ more than 750 people in Ireland.
Agenda items will include:
- Artificial intelligence and responsible digital governance
- Cybersecurity and resilience
- Digital infrastructure
- Ireland’s competitiveness as a base for global technology companies
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Irish community links highlighted in New York
The programme also reflects the cultural and community foundations of Ireland-US relations. At a reception for Irish community representatives, Minister McEntee launched the “Green Pages” directory, created by Ireland’s Consulate General in New York to connect cultural groups and community organisations.
She also met community leaders to discuss Ireland-US relations, Northern Ireland and Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The initiative is intended to strengthen links among Irish organisations and the wider diaspora.
Her visit will include the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, where she will lay a wreath marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks. She will also meet representatives of the NYPD and FDNY Emerald Societies. The memorial visit will honour the 2,977 people who died, including at least 18 Irish citizens.
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What happens next for Ireland-US trade?
Minister McEntee’s New York meetings will precede her planned hosting of EU Trade Ministers in Dublin next month. That meeting is expected to address the transatlantic trading relationship and the need for Europe to diversify export markets.
For Ireland, the central message is clear: maintaining open, reliable and mutually beneficial trade channels remains a priority. The country’s future international growth will depend on supporting Irish exporters, attracting responsible investment and engaging with emerging areas such as AI and cybersecurity.
Key takeaway: Ireland-US trade remains a strategic priority, with Minister McEntee using her New York programme to promote economic stability, investment and stronger links between businesses and communities.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
