US President Donald Trump said he was hopeful about making a trip to Ireland later this year during an Oval Office meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, where much of the discussion was overshadowed by questions about the Iran conflict.
The bilateral meeting, held to mark St Patrick’s Day, began on a warm note. Mr Trump described it as a “great honour” to host Mr Martin in the Oval Office, joking that tariffs would likely come up in conversation while also commending the “tremendous” trade ties between the US and Ireland, reports RTE.
When asked about a possible September visit to Ireland, President Trump said he would attempt to attend the Irish Open at his Doonbeg golf resort, adding that it would be an honour to be present.
The Taoiseach highlighted the deep historical bond between the two nations, noting that Irish people played a major role in building America and expressing pride in that shared heritage, reports RTE.
However, journalists largely focused their questions on the Iran war. President Trump defended his actions, claiming Iran would have initiated a nuclear conflict had he not ordered military intervention.
The Taoiseach referred to Iran as a rogue state — a view President Trump appeared to agree with — but emphasised that Ireland’s stance was that any conflict involving Iran should be resolved peacefully, reports RTE.
He said “our hearts went out to the Iranian people” and compared the situation to the invasion of Ukraine.
President Trump said “we helped with Ukraine, and they [Europe] don’t help with Iran” despite Iranian leaders being “the worst people since Hitler”, reports RTE.
Speaking about the Strait of Hormuz, he stated that the US did not require assistance from NATO allies to reopen it, though he criticised them for making a very “foolish mistake” by not offering support.
Responding to remarks by President Catherine Connolly that the war was illegal, Mr Trump said “he’s lucky that I exist,” adding that without intervention, Iran would have obtained nuclear weapons, reports RTE.
The Taoiseach stressed the importance of the transatlantic relationship between the EU and the US, saying that “issues over the last year or two” had been resolved.
He also addressed criticism directed at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer by Mr Trump, who claimed Mr Starmer “doesn’t produce” regarding the Iran war and added that “his immigration policy is a disaster, and his energy policy is a disaster”, reports RTE.
The Taoiseach responded by saying Mr Starmer had made significant efforts to improve Irish-British relations and described him as a sincere and dependable individual whom he believed Mr Trump could work well with.
Mr Martin said that “everyone accepts that you cannot have a rogue state with a nuclear weapon” and that Iran was “a sponsor of terrorism”, reports RTE.
However, he reiterated Ireland’s preference for a peaceful outcome to the conflict, noting that the country has a long-standing tradition of peacekeeping.
“Our hearts go out to the Iranian people who have been repressed and suppressed for so many years,”, reports RTE.
TheLiberal.ie won’t quit
Please support us with a small donation on PayPal!
“We have to continue to work and see if we can bring peace … a different regime to Iran, where Iranians and the people of the Middle East can leave in peace again.
“We have been peacekeepers all our lives. Ultimately all conflicts come to an end and we have to try and work towards that,”, reports RTE.
Mr Martin also challenged Mr Trump’s comments that the UK and other European nations had allowed “millions and millions of people to come into your country that shouldn’t be there”.
The Taoiseach said that “Europe is still a very good place to live” and added that the European perspective supports fair yet firm migration policies, reports RTE.
He noted that Ireland’s population was increasing “in a very positive way”, driven by a strong economy that attracts people to work legally.
Mr Martin also said he would welcome the development of a legal pathway for employment between Ireland and the US and emphasised that nobody supports illegal immigration, reports RTE.
He added that Europe is sometimes “characterised wrongly in terms of it being overrun” and pointed out that there are now “stronger mechanisms in place” to support legal migration.
Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance said he was “very grateful” for his friendship with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and for “everything that unites the people of Ireland and the United States of America”, reports RTE.
Mr Martin was welcomed by Mr Vance at his official residence, Number One Observatory Circle.
Mr Vance said the St Patrick’s Day breakfast is among his favourite traditions as vice president, reports RTE.
”We are thrilled to have you and grateful for your friendship and everything that unites the people of Ireland with the people of the USA,” Mr Vance told the Taoiseach.
”There are so many common cultural sensibilities and interests which are being celebrated today,” Mr Vance added, reports RTE.
The US vice president praised the scale of Irish investment in America, noting that 375,000 US jobs rely on Irish businesses.
Mr Vance said he appreciates the cultural ties between the nations and cited former president Ronald Reagan as an example of a ”great Irish American”, reports RTE.
The Taoiseach said he was deeply moved by the warm reception he received the previous year, adding that Ireland is now the fifth-largest foreign investor in the US, with over 800 Irish-owned companies operating there.
He also noted that Irish firms are playing a key role in advancing the global AI revolution, reports RTE.
Among those attending the breakfast were senior Republican figures, including Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick and Senator Markwayne Mullin, who is Mr Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security.
Patrick Collison was also present, along with US Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh and Irish Ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason, reports RTE.
Mr Vance emphasised the significance of the economic and business ties between both countries.
“I have this long list of all the investments that Ireland is making in the United States of America, all the things that we’re doing in the country of Ireland.
“Of course, about 375,000 American jobs depend on the country of Ireland in one form or another. So just an important, important trading and economic partner,” he said, reports RTE.
He also joked that this year he was wearing more understated Donegal wool socks compared to the previous year.
Following the key bilateral meeting at the White House, the schedule moved on to Capitol Hill for the Friends of Ireland luncheon hosted by US House Speaker Mike Johnston, reports RTE.
The delegation will then return to the White House for the traditional shamrock ceremony, attended by several hundred guests.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
