Global Business Briefing with Her Excellency Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the U.S.

On July 13, 2023, the Meridian Corporate Council and TE Connectivity co-hosted a Global Business Briefing featuring Her Excellency, Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland. The discussion, moderated by Meridian CEO Ambassador Stuart Holliday, focused on collaboration and partnership between the U.S. and Ireland in the changing European landscape.

Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason began her role as Ireland's Ambassador to the U.S. in August 2022. Prior to this appointment, she held various prestigious positions, including Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador to France, Second Secretary General in the Department of the Taoiseach, Ambassador and Ireland's Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU, and Director of the National Forum on Europe. Ambassador Nason led Ireland's successful bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council and chaired the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Her accomplishments have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Freedom of Drogheda and membership in the Royal Irish Academy.

Amidst Brexit, Ireland has emerged as a crucial English-speaking gateway for U.S. businesses to access European markets. The strong bond between Ireland and the U.S., fueled by a shared history and a significant Irish American population, forms a solid foundation for trade cooperation. Ireland's business-friendly environment, characterized by robust labor laws, stable taxation policies, and a diverse, skilled population, attracts American companies seeking to thrive in the country. The investment relationship between the U.S. and Ireland is mutually beneficial, with Ireland's foreign direct investment creating numerous jobs in the U.S., while the U.S. remains Ireland's largest trade partner. Additionally, Ireland actively supports Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war by providing refuge to thousands of Ukrainian refugees. Furthermore, Ireland, together with the U.S. and the EU, aims to counter the increasing influence of Russia and China in the global south by engaging with strategic partners and promoting sustainable development in the region.