As head of Western U.S. operations for IDA Ireland, my job is to show American companies why European expansion makes strategic sense. Lately, that conversation has shifted. America’s frequent policy changes have prompted many executives to reconsider their expansion strategies, with more leaders looking overseas for growth opportunities. Ireland saw 179 foreign investment approvals in the first half of 2025, up 37% year-over-year.
Over two decades of advising Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups, I’ve observed executives increasingly prioritize regulatory predictability when planning international expansion. They’re evaluating where they can execute multi-year AI hiring plans, maintain consistent research funding, and complete renewable energy programs. Long-term regulatory stability has become a more prominent consideration in location decisions. Here’s what’s driving these conversations.
