EU says could target €72bn of US goods if tariff talks fail
The European Commission has said it was putting forward a new list of US goods worth €72 billion that could be targeted by EU levies if tariff talks with Washington fail. The bloc’s trade chief, Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, announced the proposal, “accounting for some 72 billion euros’ worth of US imports”, at a meeting with […]
Next fortnight crucial for Ireland amid US tariff threats
There’s no doubt US President Donald Trump’s threat of 30% tariffs is a significant blow to both the European Union and Ireland. Earlier this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed hopes that Brussels and Washington could agree a framework deal which would pause any escalation in trade tensions. But Mr Trump’s letter to the EU, dated […]
Over 2,100 pub closures in last 20 years, report finds
More than 2,100 pubs across the country have closed since 2005, according to a new report. The study, commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), found that an average of 112 pubs stopped trading every year over the last 20 years. DIGI said the report concluded the number of pubs in Ireland is […]
Is the big AI job displacement already under way?
The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment came into sharp focus this week. On Tuesday, Minister of State with responsibility for AI Niamh Smyth, told the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence that there will be a certain amount of job displacement because of AI. Also this week, the latest ‘Employment Monitor’ from recruitment firm […]
Bitcoin rallies to all-time high on investor demand
Bitcoin rallied to an all-time high today, powered by demand from institutional investors and crypto-friendly policies from US President Donald Trump’s administration. The world’s largest cryptocurrency rose to a peak of $116,781.10 in the Asian session on Friday, taking its gains for the year so far to more than 24%. It was last trading at […]
Real economy to continue to grow this year despite global uncertainty
There will be continued strong growth in the real economy between this year and 2027, according to forecasts by Davy, despite global uncertainty. At the same time, though, the stockbroker has downgraded its forecast for housing completions this year. Ireland’s gross national income – a measure which excludes multinational activity – expanded by 4.8% last […]
Credit and debit card spending rose by 5.7% in June
Credit and debit card spending rose by 5.7% in June compared to the same month last year, according to new figures from Bank of Ireland. The bank said the data shows consumer spending remained robust last month and “well ahead” of the rate of inflation of 1.8%. The figure is down from the 6.5% year-on-year […]
EU ready ‘for all scenarios’ amid trade talks with US
The European Union is working closely with US President Donald Trump’s administration to reach a trade deal, but Brussels is getting ready for all scenarios, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said. Addressing the European Parliament this morning, she said the EU will “stick to our principles.” “We defend our interests, we continue […]
Markets ‘shaken but not stirred’ by Trump’s latest tariff threats
Markets are “shaken but definitely not stirred” by the latest US tariff threats, according to financial analysit Danni Hewson. On Tuesday the White House confirmed that the high tariffs on imports from most countries – which were due to come into effect on 9 July – would be delayed until 1 August. That was to […]
Mortgage interest rates fall to over two year low in May
Irish mortgage interest rates fell to their lowest rate in over two years in May, according to new figures from the Central Bank. The average rate for the month was 3.66% on new mortgages, which was down slightly on the April rate of 3.72%, and over half a percentage point lower than for May 2024 […]
Pharmaceutical tariffs could reach 200%, says US President
US President Donald Trump has said he is planning to announce tariffs on imported semiconductor and pharmaceuticals, saying the rate for medicines could reach 200% but that he would give drugmakers about one year “to get their act together”. “We’re going to give people about a year, a year and a half to come in […]
Irish economy, as measured by national income, up 4.8% in 2024 – CSO
Ireland’s national income, a key measure of economic growth, rose by 4.8% last year according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. The figure, which excludes the effect of multinationals, compares to growth of 5% a year earlier. The figures mean that the economy continued to enjoy robust growth last year. Personal spending […]
Construction activity falls for second month in a row
The level of home building slipped for the second successive month in June, according to AIB’s latest Construction PMI report. AIB’s Ireland Construction Total Activity Index also posted below the 50 no-change mark for the second month in a row in June – falling to 48.6 in June from a reading of 49.2 in May. […]
Trump signs order delaying tariff deadline to 1 August
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order delaying the date on which so-called “reciprocal tariffs” affecting dozens of economies, including the EU, will take effect. The Wednesday deadline for steeper levies will be pushed back to 1 August, according to the order. Earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the deadline […]
New awareness campaign for pension auto-enrolment scheme
A national campaign has been launched to raise awareness of the new pension auto-enrolment scheme which is now called “My Future Fund”. The multimedia advertising campaign will inform people about how the new system will work, who can participate, and what it will mean for them. The scheme will be rolled out from 1 January […]
Euro zone investor morale hits three-year record as recovery broadens
Investor sentiment in the euro zone improved more than expected in July to hit its highest level in more than three years, a survey showed today, as the bloc’s economic recovery broadened. The Sentix index for the euro zone rose to 4.5 from 0.2 in June, beating the 1.1 forecast from analysts polled by Reuters […]
Coming hours crucial for US-EU trade talks, says Tánaiste
Tánaiste Simon Harris has said the coming hours will be crucial ahead of Wednesday’s deadline for the end of the US “pause” on higher tariff rates. Mr Harris will spend much of the day engaging with officials and the EU Trade Commissioner as a final push is made to find a way forward between the […]
Property asking prices rising 7% annually – report
Asking prices for houses and apartments are rising at 7% annually, according to the latest quarterly report by property website MyHome.ie in conjunction with Bank of Ireland. The report said asking prices outside Dublin are rising by 7.9% and prices in the capital are up 5.1%. According to the report, the average mortgage approved in […]