Headlines
Irish foreign multinational employment climbs in 2025 despite Trump tariffs
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 18, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Quick Summary
In 2025, Irish employment by foreign multinationals grew by 1.5% despite US tariffs, highlighting the resilience of Ireland's economic model.
Irish Multinational Jobs Increase in 2025 Despite Tariffs
DUBLIN, Dec 18 (Reuters) - The number of people employed by foreign multinational companies in Ireland increased slightly in 2025 despite uncertainty over the impact of U.S. tariffs, the country's inward investment agency said on Thursday.
Ireland's economy relies on the taxes and jobs of foreign multinationals, which have almost doubled their workforce in the last decade to make up around 11% of the labour market.
The number of people directly employed by foreign multinationals increased by 1.5% to 312,400, the agency, known as IDA Ireland, said in its annual results.
U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and efforts to concentrate manufacturing in the United States have yet to have a major impact on Ireland's decades-old model of attracting jobs from mainly U.S. firms in sectors such as technology and pharmaceuticals.
(Writing by Conor Humphries; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Key Takeaways
- •Employment by foreign multinationals in Ireland rose by 1.5% in 2025.
- •US tariffs have not significantly impacted Ireland's economic model.
- •Foreign multinationals make up around 11% of Ireland's labor market.
- •IDA Ireland reports 312,400 people employed by foreign firms.
- •Ireland continues to attract jobs in technology and pharmaceuticals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Irish foreign multinational employment climbs in 2025 despite Trump tariffs
1What is foreign investment?
Foreign investment refers to the investment made by individuals or entities in one country into assets or businesses in another country, often to gain financial returns.
2What is job creation?
Job creation is the process of generating new employment opportunities, often through business expansion, investment, or economic growth initiatives.
3What is economic growth?
Economic growth is the increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over time, typically measured by the rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
4What is a multinational corporation?
A multinational corporation is a company that operates in multiple countries, managing production or delivering services in more than one nation.
