Stephen Carroll

Okay, Simon, great to have you with us.

Thanks very much for joining us on the programme this morning.

Well, the latest tariff threats from the US president are casting a shadow over the start of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

European leaders are due to meet now later this week to discuss their response, which could include placing limits on market access for American companies.

Let's discuss now with Michael Lowen, the CEO of IDA Ireland, the government agency charged with attracting foreign direct investment, who joins us from Davos.

Michael, good morning.

How worried are you about this latest escalation of tensions between the US and Europe?

In your conversations with those US companies, do you get a sense of frustration that they're unable to plan or make decisions because of the changing policies?

We're waiting to see how exactly Europe will choose to respond to this.

France wants the EU to consider using the anti-coercion instrument, which could include measures like limiting market access for American companies.

How damaging could that be for Ireland, given the large amount of US investment there?

Would you be encouraging the Irish government to vote against using this anti-coercion tool?

Michael, you're in Davos to meet with business leaders, to talk about foreign investment, to promote Ireland as a destination.

How do you have conversations like that when the whole environment is so uncertain?

Are you seeing that companies, though, are having to downplay announcements about foreign direct investment decisions because of the fear of criticism from the Trump administration?

You had a record year for attracting foreign direct investment last year.

Are companies, though, trying to keep it quiet about some of the investments they're making?

How does the year ahead look?

Is it going to be a more difficult year?

Okay, Michael Lowen, CEO of IDA Ireland, thank you very much for joining us from Davos this morning.