News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

An image of a Swatch Watch with the 3 and the 9 numbers inverted

Swiss watchmakers turn US tariffs into timepieces

Time is money for Swiss watchmakers - some are cashing in on US President Donald Trump's massive tariff on goods from Switzerland with limited-edition watches featuring the 39% duty on their dials.

Business • 11 Sep

Zara owner Inditex reports better start to autumn sales

Zara owner Inditex today reported a better start to its autumn sales, an encouraging sign as the world's biggest listed fast-fashion retailer grapples with the impact of a weak dollar and US tariffs on consumer spending.

Business • 10 Sep

The meting will hear of the EU's ongoing legislative process to implement the deal (stock image)

Trade forum to discuss impact of EU-US tariff deal

A meeting of the Government's Trade Forum will be held today to discuss the impact of the EU-US trade deal.

Ireland • 10 Sep

Apple event expected to feature a slimmer iPhone

Apple is expected to unveil a new lineup of iPhones later this evening, including a thinner "Air" model that could be a precursor to a folding phone next year.

Business • 09 Sep

Four men, three of which are wearing orange high-vis jackets, look at a screen in a factory

Midlands business cluster navigating through US tariffs

The Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing Cluster, which comprises over 70 members spanning engineering, polymer, food and drink, medical devices, and technology solutions, is trying to help companies impacted by US tariffs.

Leinster • 09 Sep

Firms say biggest compliance risk is US data rules

More than one in three Irish financial organisations, or 36%, say the softening of US data privacy and cybersecurity rules represents the greatest compliance risk to their business, according to a survey from the Compliance Institute.

Business • 09 Sep

A Chinese port with a truck and container in front of a large red crane

China says trade grew in August, but below forecasts

China's exports missed expectations but expanded 4.4% year-on-year in August, official data showed today, with falling US shipments offset by a jump in those to Southeast Asia and Europe.

Business • 08 Sep

US tariffs have cost Volkswagen 'billions' so far - CEO

Volkswagen was in advanced talks with the US government over substantial investments in the world's second-largest auto market, where tariffs have cost Europe's top carmaker billions of euros so far this year.

Business • 08 Sep

Are we done already? 5 questions ahead of ECB meeting

The European Central Bank is set to hold interest rates steady for a second meeting in a row on Thursday, with investors watching for any hints that the bank is done with cutting them.

Business • 08 Sep

Car makers debut new EVs, affordable models in Munich

Major car makers will showcase their latest models at Munich's car show today as Europe's automotive sector faces crises ranging from US tariff hikes to costly electrification and the expansion of Chinese automakers on their home turf.

Business • 08 Sep

A large EV manufacturing facilty pictures against a cloudy sky

Work paused at Hyundai's US site as workers detained

Up to 450 workers at a Hyundai Motor facility under construction in Georgia have been detained in a major raid by US authorities that has led to a pause in the project to build a car battery factory.

Business • 05 Sep

Rows of blue and white cars in a port ready for export

Trump order brings lower Japanese car tariffs into effect

US President Donald Trump has signed an order to implement lower tariffs on Japanese automobile imports and other products that were announced in July, providing some relief to Japan's export-heavy economy.

Business • 05 Sep

Lululemon cuts forecasts, blames tariffs & product issues

Lululemon Athletica has cut its annual profit forecast for the second quarter in a row, blaming weak US business and product issues, as well as tariff costs.

Business • 05 Sep

Govt to set out measures to tackle costs on businesses

The Taoiseach has said the Government will set out further ways next week "to reduce the cost and regulatory burden on businesses".

Business • 05 Sep

The overall US trade deficit jumped 32.5% to $78.3 billion in July, on the back of a 5.9% rise in imports to $358.8 billion

US trade gap widens more than expected as imports surge

The US trade deficit expanded more than expected in July, government data showed today, on a surge in imports analysts expect was driven by a rush to beat another wave of President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Business • 04 Sep

A general view of air conditioning units installed on the outside of a facade of a building in India

India slashes consumption tax to spur domestic demand

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced tax cuts on hundreds of consumer items ranging from soaps to small cars to spur domestic demand in the face of economic headwinds from punishing US tariffs.

Business • 04 Sep

US may 'unwind' EU trade deal if it loses tariff case

US President Donald Trump has said the US might have to "unwind" trade deals it reached with the European Union, Japan and South Korea, among others, if it loses a Supreme Court tariffs case, and warned that a loss would cause the US "to suffer so greatly".

US • 04 Sep

Polestar reported a net loss of $1.03 billion for the quarter ended June 30, compared with a loss of $268m a year earlier

EV maker Polestar posts wider quarterly loss on tariffs

Electric vehicle maker Polestar reported a wider loss for the second quarter today, after US tariffs and intensifying price pressure led to an impairment charge of its Polestar 3.

Business • 03 Sep

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization

Tariffs cause 'unprecedented' disruption to trade rules

The share of global traded on WTO terms has fallen to 72% and could fall further, amid the biggest disruption to the international trading system in the past 80 years, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization said today.

Business • 02 Sep

Remy Cointreau lowers tariff impact estimates after deal

French spirits maker Remy Cointreau has today raised its annual profit forecast, joining larger rival Pernod Ricard - which owns Irish Distillers - in flagging a lower than feared blow from US tariffs after a 15% rate was agreed on EU imports last month.

Business • 29 Aug

A number of parcels delivered to a house

What's the tax change for parcels being sent to the US?

From today, a long-standing tax-free allowance from the United States for parcel contents valued at less than $800 (€685) being posted from Europe is ending.

Ireland • 29 Aug

Budget 2026 comes against the backdrop of 15% tariffs on goods exported to the US with threats of even bigger hikes on pharmaceuticals.

Govt looking at budget impact of EU-US trade agreement

The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohue, said the Government was looking at the impact on budget plans, of the recent trade agreement between the United States and the European Union.

Business • 29 Aug

US corporate profits rebound in Q2, GDP growth revised up

US corporate profits rebounded in the second quarter, but tariffs on imports are raising costs for businesses, which could limit further gains and hamper economic growth.

Business • 28 Aug

Irish Distillers' annual global net sales rise by 2%

Irish Distillers, which makes Jameson Irish whiskey, has reported a 2% increase in global net sales for its full financial year, which ended on June 30.

Business • 28 Aug

A photograph of Donald Trump with an American flag in the background

US doubles India tariff to 50% over Russian oil purchases

US tariffs of 50% have taken effect on many Indian products, doubling an existing duty as President Donald Trump sought to punish India for buying Russian oil.

World • 27 Aug