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Ireland-Canada trade boosted by CETA and Trump tariffs
🇮🇪 Ireland /Economy & Trade

Ireland-Canada trade boosted by CETA and Trump tariffs

From RTÉ News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Trade between Ireland and Canada has grown significantly over the past decade, with US tariffs on Canadian goods providing an additional boost.
  • Irish whiskey exports to Canada have seen substantial growth, partly due to retaliatory measures by Ontario against US tariffs.
  • Canada is seeking to diversify its trade relationships, deepening ties with Europe as part of this strategy.

The trade relationship between Ireland and Canada is flourishing, bolstered by global trade tensions and a major EU-Canada trade deal. Ontario Minister Todd McCarthy highlighted that while trade has grown over the last decade, U.S. tariffs have "definitely escalated" this growth.

It has definitely escalated.

— Todd McCarthyOntario Minister Todd McCarthy MPP, Minister of the Environment for Ontario, commenting on the growth of trade between Ireland and Canada due to US tariffs.

This surge is particularly evident in the Irish whiskey sector. Eoin Ó Catháin, director of the Irish Whiskey Association, reported "huge growth" year-on-year in Canada, with export values improving significantly. He noted a "direct impact of that instability in the global trading environment" and a "greater appreciation for those trading partners who are a bit more certain."

A key factor in this growth is an alcohol ban in Ontario, Canada's largest alcohol buyer, which removed over 3,600 American-made alcohol products from shelves. This retaliatory move against U.S. tariffs has created an "opportunity for Irish whiskey," according to Ó Catháin.

Our export value to Canada has improve. We sell over 420,000 cases. That's a huge jump, even when you compare it to two years ago.

— Eoin Ó CatháinDirector of the Irish Whiskey Association discussing the growth of Irish whiskey exports to Canada.

Kristen Bradley from Ottawa's Irish Pub, The Heart and Crown, observed that customers have adapted to trying new products. "It took people out of their comfort zone from ordering the thing that they know and trying something different because they have to," she said, adding that it provided an opportunity to "highlight different products so whether it be a Canadian spotlight or an Irish spotlight."

We're seeing the direct impact of that instability in the global trading environment. And again, I suppose a greater appreciation for those trading partners who are a bit more certain on whom each country can rely.

— Eoin Ó CatháinDirector of the Irish Whiskey Association on the impact of global trading instability and the value of reliable partners.

Canada is actively working to diversify its investment and trading relationships amidst ongoing turbulent times with the U.S. Deepening links with Europe is a core part of this strategy, exemplified by Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Ireland, which aimed to strengthen business ties.

It's not even top of mind for people anymore. They've changed their habits to something else that is similar and I think we've moved on honestly.

— Kristen BradleyKristen Bradley from the Irish Pub, the Heart and Crown in Ottawa, on how customers have adapted to the alcohol ban.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RTÉ News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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