No Less Than A Call to Patriotic Action

Analysis of the Simon Harris Op-ed in today's Irish Times

Writing in the Irish Times today, Simon Harris argues that “Ireland has no time to waste” before launching “an all-out diplomatic and trade offensive in the United States.”

The outgoing Taoiseach and incoming Tánaiste are, of course, entirely correct. The Trump administration will almost certainly pursue protectionist measures that will attack key elements of the globalised economic model that underpins the source of Ireland’s critical revenue streams. Arch proponents of tariffs like Robert Lighthizer and Howard Lutnick will have strong sway in the new administration’s trade policy. Their negative view of the “double Irish” and its contemporary iterations have been made abundantly clear. The stakes couldn’t possibly be higher for Ireland’s economy.

It’s also politically wise for Harris to attach himself to this file now. He needs to move on definitively from a comme ci, comme ça election campaign and identify a clear goal for himself that can reset the political narrative.

Ultimately, …