How US Tariffs Are Affecting Ireland’s Supply Chains in 2026

14% of all imports into Ireland come from the US. Historically, the US is the second-largest importer to Ireland behind the UK. For exports too, the US is a big market for Ireland, accounting for around 21% of all exports. This means that the current global trade policy by President Trump and the US could have a massive impact on the Irish economy, and the rest of the world. Tariff volatility since April 2025 has made it harder to plan accurately for Irish businesses both important and exporting with the US. An experienced freight forwarder is essential under these circumstances.

The current tariff landscape: where things stand in mid-2026

There has been trade tension in the past, but the global tariff imposition by President Trump in 2025 sent shockwaves across the globe, hitting supposed ‘enemies’ of the US along with historical allies. The effects on Ireland are significant. After Ireland was caught in the cross-fire of trade disputes after Britain left the EU, it was definitely something the country could have done without.

April 2025

An introduction of a 10% universal baseline tariff imposed by the US on all countries, with country-specific ‘reciprocal’ tariffs pf up to 50% that immediately altered the US market. Irish goods were subject to a 20% tariff initially.

Trump suspended the implementation of tariffs for 90-days allowing time for a renegotiation of trade agreements.

June 2025

Irish exports to the US improved initially, as businesses stockpiled goods ahead of the implementation of the tariffs, before falling sharply once introduced. This caused volatility to the Irish market.

July 2025

A US-EU Framework Agreement established a 156% tariff ceiling for most EU goods, restoring MFN treatment for hundreds of products that had suffered since the initial announcement. This includes pharmaceuticals, natural resources, and aircraft. A similar agreement was found with the UK and Japan.

May 2026

A year on Irish exports to the US have dropped a significant 72%, having a massive impact on Irish businesses that were used to trading with the US for many years prior to Trump’s global trade war.

How US tariffs affect Irish exporters selling to the US

The impact of US tariffs on Irish exporters is easy to see when you consider the differences in exports from last year to this. The impact depends on who absorbs the cost of the tariffs. Costs can move through the supply chain at various points, driving up the prices that importers and exporters face. Having a clear idea of what you can expect is difficult when faced with ever-changing tariffs, so working with a sea freight forwarder with experience allows you to put faith and certainty in the things you can control – the logistics suppliers, the various routes and transit options.

Which Irish exports are exempt — and which are not

Only 16% of Irish goods remain exposed to US tariffs, which is good news. Pharmaceutical tariffs remain at 0% at the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rate, and there is an agreement between the EU and the US that any future pharmaceutical tariffs that would apply to all countries would be limited to 15%. Another area of Irish exports to the US that remains untouched is that of chemical exports. Overall, this means that just 2%-3% of Irish exports are currently exposed to US tariffs.

The pharma exemption and what it means for Irish trade

The majority of goods exported to the US comes from the pharmaceutical sector. The tariff exemption for this area of goods means that Irish businesses can avoid up to 100% import taxes on branded medicines, which could have been a disaster long-term for Irish businesses.

Steel and aluminium: the 50% tariff that didn’t go away

The impact of the higher 50% tariff for steel and aluminium is a real challenge to businesses in Ireland that work in construction, engineering, and infrastructure, amongst other things. The tariff does not apply if the steel or aluminium is of US origin, damaging EU exporters but benefiting importers.

How US tariffs affect Irish importers buying from the US

US tariffs impact Irish importers buying goods from the US, with the latest EU-US trade agreement helping to lower the cost burden on Irish importers. There are several measures that are in place to protect Irish businesses.

EU countermeasures on US goods — what’s now cheaper or more expensive to import

The EU has put in place suspended countermeasures should the US violate the agreed trade rules. This includes 25% tariffs and 50% tariffs on specific goods and items. Steel and aluminium remain more expensive to import, while some US goods such as pharmaceuticals and semiconductors are cheaper under current rules.

The 0% tariff deal on US industrial goods — what this means for Irish buyers

As part of the EU-US trade agreement the European Union implemented a 0% tariff on all industrial goods that are imported from the US into EU countries. There are also some agricultural products that are included with this rate. This is beneficial to Irish companies as it reduces some manufacturing costs, streamlines supply chains, and potentially lowers the cost of products for Irish consumers.

What Section 301 investigations mean for Ireland next

The US has launched investigations into trade partners such as the EU and China in recent months, after the US Supreme Court struck down key parts of Trump’s tariff policy. Since then, the US has said that the Section 301 unfair trade practices probe could lead to new tariffs levelled at EU countries, India, China, and other countries it deems to be exporting its problems to the US.

How Irish businesses can reduce tariff exposure

There are several things that Irish businesses can do to remove the reliance on US trade in the face of the tariffs implemented by President Trump in 2025.

Rules of origin — know where your goods actually come from

Leveraging preferential rules of origin with countries that come under Free Trade Agreements, such as the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, help you to significantly reduce your costs and remove reliance on one single country.

Customs warehousing and Inward Processing Relief

Customs Warehousing and Inward Processing Relief is a way to optimise your cashflow and protect the supply chain. You can store, process, and repair any non-EU goods without paying customs duties, excise duties, or VAT, until it is removed from the warehouse for its onward journey.

Diversifying supply chains away from single-country dependency

One way to mitigate the impact of US tariffs for Irish businesses is to look into diversification. Moving away from single-country dependency and targeting new territories and countries to grow into. This protects against sudden trade wars or other geopolitical situations that could cause problems to your supply chain from one day to the next.

Enterprise Ireland grants available to affected businesses

Enterprise Ireland offers grants to help Irish businesses affected by the impact of US tariffs. A market research grant of up to €35,000 is designed to help companies to assess the impact of tariffs and to develop mitigation strategies, while a new markets validation grant of up to €150,000 helps companies to break into new markets with new products.

How Emerald Freight supports Irish businesses navigating tariff disruption

Emerald Freight has the experience and knowledge to assist you at this challenging time. We have a robust network of logistics suppliers, providing you with stability in transit and delivery of your goods, even if the US tariff situation has led to volatility. If the prices work, we’ll help you with freight forwarding options that suit your needs, providing support and documentation to minimise delays at customs clearance in Ireland.

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