The country’s Anglosphere, English-speaking priorities are also why it isn’t a member of the Schengen area — protecting the Common Travel Area with the U.K. — and why it’s struggling to replace its retiring officials in European institutions too. By contrast, Ireland’s the only European country to offer U.S. immigration and customs pre-clearanceallowing passengers to exit U.S. airports as domestic arrivals. And Dublin Airport alone connected directly with 20 U.S. destinations in 2023.
California may have Silicon Valley, but Ireland is home to its very own Silicon Docks — not to mention annual sold-out college games of American football, attended by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Economically, the concentration risk is now so obvious that Ireland’s independent fiscal watchdog has consistently warned of an unsustainable budgetary positionshould corporate taxes fall rapidly.
And yet, the worst implication of this unequal relationship isn’t even about tax revenue and jobs — it’s far more troubling than that. In desperately seeking to maintain its privileged position in Washington, successive Irish governments have unintentionally sabotaged their credibility within the EU.
In desperately seeking to maintain its privileged position in Washington, successive Irish governments have unintentionally sabotaged their credibility within the EU. | Leon Neal/Getty Images
Fueled by a seemingly endless vista of U.S. investment, the country’s become distrusted by swathes of its European neighbors. From data protection to corporate tax, from levels of defense spending (a minuscule 0.2 percent of GDP) to China, Dublin is increasingly detached from Europe’s political powers. And that’s bad news for both Ireland and for corporate America.
The issue here isn’t about diluting Ireland’s links to the U.S., or forgetting the importance of Irish America — as Biden well knows, shared history is a cultural centerpiece of identity. But rather than having another President Ronald Reagan wax lyrical about “the bonds of affection between us,” Washington would be better off seeking to rebuild Ireland’s credibility in Europe.
