Tánaiste opens Embassy of Ireland Washington DC, holds bilateral with Secretary Lutnick

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris TD, will travel to Washington DC today to undertake a series of bilateral engagements and to officially open Ireland’s new Embassy to the United States.

Speaking in New York where the Tánaiste has been attending UN High-Level Week, the Tánaiste said: “There is no greater sign of the importance of the Irish US relationship than the opening of Ireland’s new Embassy, next to the White House, in the heart of Washington DC. Our Embassy is a testament not just to the shared history between our two countries, but an expression of our aspiration and ambition for a bright future together. It reflects Ireland’s expanding footprint right across the United States, where we now have a network of eight Consulates General.

“I look forward to meeting Howard Lutnick, United States Secretary of Commerce and discussing how we can protect and deepen our mutually beneficial economic relationship. Not only is the US investing in Ireland, but Ireland is investing in the US. We are now the 5th largest source of foreign direct investment in America. Across every region of the union, Irish companies have created 200,000 American jobs. To that end, I am also delighted today to launch an economic impact report which maps Ireland’s economic footprint across the United States, capturing not only the trade flows between our two countries, but also our research partnerships and tourism figures, and significantly, the remarkable scale of Irish companies who have operations here. While I am in DC, I am looking forward to engagement with these Irish businesses whose investment in the United States forms part of our remarkable transatlantic economic ties.

“The future of Ireland’s relationship with the United States will be underpinned by a new strategy that I have tasked my officials with developing and which I expect to publish in early in 2026.

“As we look to the future, I will also take the opportunity in Washington to celebrate our past. Ireland is proud to join the United States in celebrating and commemorating 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July, 1776. Three signatories of that historic document were born on the island of Ireland.”

While in Washington, the Tánaiste will deliver the inaugural address at the US Chamber of Commerce speaker series ‘Investing in Partnership, Securing Prosperity’. He will also meet with Daon, an Irish company that specialises in developing and deploying biometric authentication and identity assurance solutions worldwide.

Economic impact report

Ireland and the United States share one of the world’s most dynamic economic relationships. See more on the Ireland-US economic relationship here: Ireland and the USA: a shared economic story | Ireland.ie

Ireland’s new Embassy to the United States

Located on 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, next to the White House, the new premises replaces the previous Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue. The opening of the new Embassy of Ireland is the culmination of a nearly four-year project to realise a significant commitment of the Global Ireland strategy and National Development Plan to redesign the embassy in Washington D.C. as a flagship for Ireland’s representation in the United States. The Irish-inspired design, show-casing Irish creativity and innovation, highlights the endurance and strength of Ireland’s relationship with the United States.