An Irish trade mission currently underway in the US is a "timely opportunity to highlight the importance of the two-way trading relationship" between both countries, according to Minister Martin Heydon.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is on the final stage of the trade mission in Chicago today (Friday, April 11) against the ever shifting backdrop of the global trade tariffs.

The EU Commission confirmed it would put EU countermeasures in response to US tariffs "on hold for 90 days" following President Donald Trump's decision to pause his previously announced 20% tariff on the EU.

During the trade mission, the minister has met with a number of key US political representatives, including Brooke Rollins, Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture.

Minster Heydon said today that he has strongly promoted Ireland’s "comprehensive approach to agri-food development as a source of safe, secure and sustainable agri-food products" during the visit.

"Whilst the United States is the second biggest export market for Irish agri-food products, Irish companies are also investing into the United States, creating employment for thousands of people and importantly buying produce from American farmers," he added.

Minister Heydon will complete the final part of the trade mission as he travels to Chicago where he will meet with Irish companies who have operations in the Mid-West region.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Ireland is the sixth largest source of foreign direct investment into the US, with food and agriculture companies a key contributor to the 200,000 people employed by 770 Irish companies across all 50 states. 

In 2024, over €1.9 billion of Irish agri-food produce was exported to the US, which makes it one of Ireland's key export market for agri-food exports.

Minister Heydon has said he is looking forward to meeting today with Irish companies with operations Mid-West region to "see first-hand the benefits of this trading relationship" between Ireland the the US.

He will also meet with potential US investors in Ireland and members of Enterprise Ireland’s newly established US Food Advisory Board today.