Midlands Minister Leads IDA Ireland & Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission To The States

The aim of the trip is attract companies to Ireland.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Longford-Westmeath TD Peter Burke, is today leading a joint IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland five-day Trade Mission to Texas and Southern California to highlight Ireland’s attractiveness for companies seeking to expand to Europe to boost trade relationships and promote world class Irish companies to the market. 

The Texan and Southern Californian markets are an important source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for Ireland. Companies from these markets have significant footprint in Ireland by providing high-value employment across regional locations and investing in R&D activity. Ireland is an attractive location to invest due to access to the European and EU market, the deep talent pool available and in order to grow and serve the customer base in a business friendly and pro-enterprise country.   This trade mission includes meetings with decision makers from some of the leading and most innovative companies in key sectors of focus for IDA Ireland, including Semiconductor, Tech, Healthcare and Engineering sectors

Enterprise Ireland is leading a delegation of 30 client companies to Texas and California, highlighting Irish strengths across AI infrastructure, semiconductors, high-tech construction, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, digital transformation and enterprise software. The programme includes engagements in Dallas, Austin, San Diego and Los Angeles with customers, partners and industry leaders operating at the forefront of technology, infrastructure and innovation.  Several Enterprise Ireland clients will announce new investments, partnerships and growth plans during the mission. 

Commencing the Trade Mission Minister Burke said; “I am delighted to lead the Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland trade mission to Texas and Southern California, with 30 Irish client companies. Over five days in Dallas, Austin, San Diego and Los Angeles, we will focus on the sectors driving growth on both sides of the Atlantic: AI and digital infrastructure, semiconductors, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Together with Tourism Ireland, we will showcase the strength of Ireland’s economic and cultural ties with the United States while supporting Irish companies in building new relationships, expanding their presence in the US market and identifying opportunities for future growth.

The economic relationship between Ireland and the United States is stronger than ever. Irish-owned companies employ over 200,000 people across the United States, demonstrating the scale and impact of Irish investment and enterprise. This mission will help deepen existing partnerships and showcase the innovation, ambition and potential of Irish businesses. 

Ireland's reputation as a destination for investment rests on our pro-business environment, our highly skilled workforce and our place at the heart of the European Union. This visit is an opportunity to meet US business leaders, thank them for their commitment to Ireland, and set out how Ireland can be their partner for growth and their gateway to the EU Single Market into the future.”

Commenting on the Trade Mission, Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA Ireland said “We welcome this opportunity to meet with our clients in market to underpin our commitment to long-term partnership and to share the strong message that Ireland is an excellent location for companies to expand their global footprint to serve their customer base in Europe and beyond.   I look forward to discussing and exploring strategic opportunities with our clients by highlighting Ireland’s strengths in key growth areas of AI and digital innovation, healthcare, and semiconductors, through a connected ecosystem with deep skills availability enabling innovation and growth.   Competition for foreign direct investment has never been as intense and trade missions like this play an important role in increasing awareness of Ireland as a proven, trusted and pro-enterprise location.”

Enterprise Ireland CEO Jenny Melia commented; “The U.S. is a critical market for Enterprise Ireland client companies, and a major driver of their continued international growth. Exports to the U.S. reached €6.66bn in 2025, an increase on 2024, and our client companies continue to see significant opportunity in the market despite a more complex trade environment. 

“Texas and Southern California are particularly important growth markets across AI infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, enterprise technology and the creative sectors, where Irish companies have strong and proven capability.  This trade mission is focused on helping companies deepen their presence, build strategic partnerships and win new customers, converting those opportunities into further exports, scale and employment in Ireland.”