Ireland’s 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union arrives at a defining moment for Europe’s competitiveness and its economic relationship with the United States. Global competition is intensifying, supply chains are being re-examined, and both Europe and the US are focused on improving productivity, technological leadership, and economic resilience.
Already, the US–EU economic relationship is worth over $1 billion every six hours, and Ireland’s presidency offers a timely opportunity to advance these shared economic objectives by helping to build a more competitive and innovative European Union.
As a small, open economy, and the only common-law, English-speaking country in the EU, Ireland serves as a gateway between US investment and the European market and has been a material success story and consistent beacon of growth.
Policies that enhance EU competitiveness, simplify regulation, and strengthen the Single Market not only benefit Europe, they directly support Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for US companies and reinforce the foundations of the transatlantic economy.
This perspective is clearly reflected by AmCham members. In a recent FDI Insights survey, 40% of respondents said that Ireland’s number one priority during its EU Presidency should be advancing EU competitiveness, productivity, and innovation policy. This was closely followed by regulatory simplification and strengthening the Single Market by reducing barriers to cross-border trade. These changes have been noted by the EU itself, in the seminal Draghi report, but Ireland’s presidency needs to shine a light on the need to act and deliver, not merely to identify the problem.
Therefore, the focus on competitiveness must be practical and outcome-driven. While Europe remains an attractive destination for investment, regulatory complexity and administrative burdens continue to weigh on productivity and growth. This challenge is particularly relevant for internationally operating companies, including US firms that have chosen Ireland as their European base. While Ireland offers a stable, open, and business-friendly environment, and acts as the EU’s primary digital regulatory hub for many global companies, businesses must still navigate multiple regulatory regimes and inconsistent implementation across Member States, undermining the benefits of the Single Market.
Addressing these barriers is a clear priority for business. All respondents to AmCham’s latest survey said it is important for the EU to prioritise regulatory simplification, with almost 80% describing it as extremely important. According to AmCham members, simplification is most urgently needed in digital and data governance, including the implementation of legislation such as the AI Act and Data Act, as well as in R&D funding processes and environmental reporting requirements.
Ireland’s EU Presidency provides an opportunity to bring a business-informed perspective to these discussions. By encouraging greater consistency in implementation and a more coordinated approach across Member States, Ireland can help ensure Europe’s regulatory framework strengthens competitiveness rather than constraining it. It is worth noting elements that are in process and the work being driven by Commissioner McGrath, with the 28th regime for ‘EU inc’, should particularly be commended, but this is only a start.
Artificial intelligence represents the most immediate test of Europe’s ability to align regulation with innovation. For companies operating in Ireland, AI is already shaping investment decisions and productivity strategies. 65% of respondents to an AmCham survey plan to increase investment in AI, automation, or data analytics over the next 12 months, while 60% expect to increase spending on digital transformation. Looking ahead, 40% identified AI and emerging technologies as the greatest business opportunity for their firm in Ireland over the next five years.
AI represents the nexus of whether Europe will be a leader or a laggard, both in terms of adoption and driving innovation, and at least in Ireland, some of this momentum is already visible. More than 92% of respondents said their firm had either increased or maintained AI-related investment in Ireland last year, demonstrating confidence not only in AI’s potential, but in Ireland as a base for deployment across the European market. The EU has taken an important step in establishing an AI regulatory framework, but leadership will now depend on consistent implementation that supports innovation at scale.
Innovation does not happen in isolation. It depends on sustained investment in research, development, and collaboration between industry and academia. AmCham members are clear that strengthening Ireland’s R&D infrastructure, particularly in digital and AI test environments, life sciences, and shared university-industry innovation spaces, is critical to long-term competitiveness.
However, infrastructure alone is not enough. Talent is the essential enabler of competitiveness, innovation, and AI adoption. As demand grows for digital, engineering, and research-intensive skills, continued focus on education, upskilling, and talent mobility will be critical and a clear national and European approach on skills development and recognition is key.
Ireland’s Presidency needs to be bold, needs to be strong and needs to deliver a message of what business needs to succeed. This is critical to help us all advance a more coherent EU approach on all these matters, ensuring not only Ireland, but Europe overall remains an attractive place to invest, work, and innovate.
