Utah's strong trade relationship with Ireland highlighted by visit from Irish minister of state
Telling Utah business leaders to 'Let geography not be the barrier for companies,' Alan Dillon, the minister of state at Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, spoke at the World Trade Center Utah on Thursday.
On Saturday, Dillon will serve as grand marshal of Salt Lake City's St. Patrick's Day parade.
Dillon's visit comes shortly after the creation of the Utah-Ireland Trade Commission, and Dillon highlighted that strong relationship between his country and Utah.
Dillon's visit also coincided with the U.S. and European Union imposing ever increasing tariffs on one another, and came just one day after the Irish prime minister visited the White House.
The minister was joined by Ireland's consul general to the South Western United States, Marcella Smyth, and Stephen Keogh from Ireland's Industrial Development Agency.
Smyth said that Dillon's visit is the first time Utah has had a Irish government minister visit for St. Patrick's Day.
The minister spoke about the strong relationship between Utah and Ireland and how that relationship can continue to grow as the two continue to invest in and trade with each other.
Jonathan Freedman, CEO of World Trade Center Utah, shared that Utah has a trade surplus with Ireland and that the country is Utah's 15th largest trade partner.
'This is Utah's moment to shine where we want to and to show up and be great partners,' Freedman said.
Dillon said that when he arrived in the state he was 'struck by the similarities between Ireland and Utah.' These similarities include high success in life science and health care.
Dillon also emphasized why Ireland is so attractive to do business with, especially because of its young, educated and multilingual workforce. He pointed out the country's, ambition and resilience, and its commitment to innovation, education and sustainability.
'This investment not only creates jobs but enhance the overall economic landscape,' the minister said about how working with Ireland benefits Utah.
SB106, passed during the just finished 2025 Utah legislative session, establishes a trade commission between Utah and Ireland within the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. The bill passed through the Legislature last week.
The commission will have 11 members, six from the Utah Legislature and five appointed by the office's executive director.
Jim Grover from the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, said that this commission will help to promote and encourage the things that Utah is already doing with Ireland to build on that.
Dillon added that this commission will be very important for both Utah and Ireland.
This week the EU announced it will be imposing 50% tariffs on U.S. whiskey and other U.S. products starting on April 1. These tariffs were announced in response to the U.S. imposing tariffs on steel aluminum and other products.
In retaliation to EU's tariffs on American products, Trump threatened to impose 200% tariffs on wine and champagne from EU members.
About the recent tariff battle between the U.S. and the EU, Dillon said his country regrets the current U.S. policy of increasing protectionism and tariffs.
The minister said tariffs are economically counterproductive, adding that they increase inflation, interrupt supply chains and can cost consumers on both sides. He added that both the U.S. and the EU are going to be hurt by these tariffs.
Dillon said Ireland's government is currently reviewing what the impact of the tariffs will be and that leaders are still unsure which sectors will be impacted. Ireland is working with EU partners to coordinate a response.
Dillon said that the EU will engage as a collective whole in relation to any response to the tariffs.
Freedman also spoke about the tariffs, saying that 'it's never been more important for Utah to work with foreign companies,' and that he wants Utah to continue to be a good partner.
He also shared that these tariffs impact real jobs for Utahns; 25% of jobs in Utah are dependent on international trade.
Ireland Prime Minister Micheál Martin visited the White House Wednesday as part of a St. Patrick's Day celebration and met with Trump in the Oval Office.
According to Dillon, Martin's visit demonstrated the warmth between the U.S. and strong decades-long relationship between the two countries. He added that Ireland wants to continue to build on that relationship.
Dillon said the U.S. and the EU should 'work together rather than against each other.'
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