English

Cuardaigh ar fad gov.ie

Preasráitis

Tánaiste to establish Trade Consultative Group on International Trade Policy and new US-based Strategic Economic Advisory Panel

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris has secured the agreement of Government to establish a Consultative Group on International Trade Policy. The Group, which will be chaired by the Tánaiste, is being established to facilitate engagement with key domestic stakeholders on latest and emerging trade developments and opportunities.

Commenting on the Consultative Group, the Tánaiste said:

"Establishing this consultative forum is an early priority of mine as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Protectionism, national security concerns and geo-strategic considerations are increasingly shaping national policies on international trade, including in some of Ireland’s largest trade partners.

"The Irish economy is highly globalised and as a result is more sensitive to developments around the world. Maintaining Ireland’s status as an open, global economy is a priority for this government and engaging with business sector representatives will help to shape our policy responses.”

The Tánaiste is also today announcing the establishment of a US-based Strategic Economic Advisory Panel, as part of our efforts to intensify our outreach in the United States. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, this Panel will be composed of senior decision makers in key business sectors in the US. The Panel will provide insights on strategic economic opportunities for Ireland in the critically important and mutually beneficial US-Ireland economic relationship.

In respect of the Strategic Economic Advisory Panel, the Tánaiste added:

"The Strategic Economic Advisory Panel will ensure that the government hears directly from senior US-based business people, invested in key sectors in the United States.

"The extensive US-Ireland economic relationship delivers prosperity and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. As we seek to maintain & deepen this partnership, the Panel’s advice and analysis on ensuring Ireland’s competitiveness as an economic partner of the US into the future will be crucial."

Notes

The Trade Consultative Group will bring together stakeholders to:

  • enhance multi-stakeholder policy dialogue to foster a broad understanding of Ireland’s trade opportunities and challenges
  • discuss emerging trade policy developments and their implications for Irish sectors
  • share expertise to inform Ireland’s trade policy and exchange views on country and regional specific developments; and
  • update members on key developments in international trade and their impact on Ireland

The members of the Group will also include relevant Government Ministers and business/ sectoral representatives. A full list will be confirmed in advance of the first meeting. The Tánaiste is expected to convene the first meeting by the end of February.

In line with the Programme for Government, the Strategic Economic Advisory Panel will advise the government on strategic economic opportunities and risks, ensuring Ireland remains competitive in respect of the US-Ireland economic relationship; provide insights on how best for Ireland to engage with an evolving transatlantic economic landscape; and amplify and reinforce the Irish Government’s core messaging on the US-Ireland relationship.