The Taoiseach has said that he is not concerned that US tax laws may change, making it tougher for US firms to invest in Ireland.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Brian Cowen said that President Barack Obama had indicated that Ireland is not part of the problem of American companies seeking tax havens outside the country.
He added that Mr Obama is anxious to ensure that whatever tax should be raised in the US is raised in the US.
The Taoiseach said that it was a question of making sure the Irish system is transparent and in compliance with all treaties.
Mr Cowen was speaking from California where he is leading a trade mission. This morning Mr Cowen had a private breakfast with ten top industrialists on the US west coast, who already have operations in Ireland, in the hope of persuading them to add new investment.
He is then meeting with a number of Irish companies who are successfully doing business in the US, before addressing a major business lunch in Silicon Valley.
In his address, Mr Cowen is focusing on the Irish Government's economic recovery plan, with a particular emphasis on the smart economy and the implementation of the report of the Government's Innovation Taskforce.
Tonight, Mr Cowen is flying to Washington, DC for a series of political and economic engagements, including a bilateral meeting with President Barack Obama on St Patrick's Day.
Meanwhile, The North's First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have begun their US visit with a round of meetings with potential investors in Chicago.
They also met with Tom Wilson, the Chairman of existing investor Allstate and the Mayor of Chicago, Richard Daley.
Mr McGuinness said: 'Our meeting with a hugely influential political figure such as Mayor Daley is indicative of the high level of engagement that we are undertaking during our visit to the US.'
He continued 'Our visit is a demonstration of our unity of purpose to promote investment, create investment and strengthen the peace process.'
