The Prime Minister of Ireland, Micheal Martin, has recently become the latest European leader to pay a visit to United States President Donald Trump during his second term in office.
This occasion, however, had a notably jovial atmosphere, as it centered around receptions and events in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day, a beloved Irish celebration occurring annually on March 17.
Yet, Wednesday’s meeting was tinged with many of the pressing issues that have shadowed previous European leaders’ visits to the White House, including the conflict in Ukraine and the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
Trump commanded much of the attention during their Oval Office meeting, engaging with the media while Martin remained relatively quiet.
When he had the opportunity to speak, Martin expressed heartfelt appreciation for the Irish-American connection and the historic bonds that tie the two nations together.
He also highlighted Trump’s self-identified role as a peacemaker, a sentiment echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during their White House visits in late February.
“Mr. President, we are eternally grateful for the contributions of the United States in transforming our island,” Martin remarked at a luncheon for the Friends of Ireland, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers. “We wish you success in your efforts to foster peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, and beyond.”
Here are five key takeaways from their meeting today at the White House.
President Donald Trump attends the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon [Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters]A notably warm visit, notwithstanding boycotts
The mood was noticeably cozier compared to some of Trump’s more recent encounters with world leaders. Since taking office, Trump has hosted a variety of dignitaries, including King Abdullah II of Jordan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with whom he had a contentious discussion.
Both leaders had visited in search of assurances regarding American support in regional disputes: the ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza.
However, with Martin — who holds the title of taoiseach, Irish for “chief” — the stakes felt somewhat lower.
During their Oval Office discussion, Martin and Trump’s conversation veered towards Trump’s luxurious Doonbeg golf resort located on Ireland’s west coast.
“I would say, Mr. President, you have the unique distinction of being the only president who has physically invested in Ireland through your Doonbeg,” Martin noted, as Trump attempted to interject.
“I love this guy,” Trump responded, giving a thumbs-up to Martin.
Trump then launched into his brand of flattery, referencing Martin’s heritage as the son of a celebrated boxer and leaning into Irish stereotypes about fighting.
“I know so many Irish fighters. They enjoy to fight, and they are quite good at it,” Trump remarked during the luncheon, before turning to Martin. “His father was a great fighter, so genetically, I’m not going to mess around with you. You understand? I believe in that.”
Additionally, Trump’s Vice President JD Vance donned shamrock socks and a green tie to celebrate the occasion.
However, at one point during the visit, a journalist challenged Trump about several notable absences at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Irish political parties, including Sinn Fein, had declared their boycott of the events held in Washington, DC, due to Trump’s stance on Gaza.
“What are they boycotting?” Trump inquired.
After the journalist explained, Trump dismissed it, saying, “I haven’t heard that.”
President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin ascend the US Capitol steps [Leah Millis/Reuters]
Trump uses ‘Palestinian’ derogatorily, dismisses concerns regarding ethnic cleansing
Trump has previously expressed a desire for the US to “own” the war-torn region and permanently displace its Palestinian residents, a proposal critics have equated to ethnic cleansing.
However, in recent weeks, the US President has distanced himself from that suggestion. In a February 21 interview, he stated to Fox News, “I’m not enforcing it. I’m just going to sit back and recommend it.”
Nonetheless, his remarks have continued to resonate globally, particularly as he maintains a push for the annexation of regions like Canada.
At one point, a reporter queried Martin about whether he intended to address Trump’s past proposals concerning the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza.
Trump promptly interjected, denying any such intentions. “Nobody’s expelling any Palestinians,” he asserted.
The mention of Palestinians resurfaced during the Oval Office dialogue, as Trump reflected on his recent address to a joint session of Congress, using the term “Palestinian” as a pejorative to criticize his rivals within the Democratic Party.
“The Democrats need to rally, and if they don’t vote, taxes are going to skyrocket,” Trump stated, seemingly alluding to recent budget discussions in Congress.
He then shifted focus to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Jewish senator who has been an advocate against a Trump-backed budget.
“Some very negative consequences will occur, and people will hold the Democrats accountable. And Schumer is a Palestinian, to me. You know, he’s turned into a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He’s no longer Jewish: he’s a Palestinian.”
Yet, Martin commended Trump for his overall approach to the peace process. After Trump was asked about the St. Patrick’s Day boycott, the Irish Prime Minister interjected “to honor the president for his peace initiatives” in Gaza and other regions.
Martin drew a comparison to the peace process in Northern Ireland, which experienced sectarian violence for several decades, extending into the 1990s.
“I recall back in the early ’90s, when the initial steps towards peace in Ireland were being taken, there were critics of figures like John Hume or then-taoiseach Albert Reynolds. But they persevered,” Martin observed. “Anything we can do to mitigate violence is profoundly positive.”
However, Martin reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, offering a note of caution about its practicality.
“We believe that a two-state solution would be ideal, though it has become increasingly challenging as time has progressed. Nevertheless, that remains our stance,” he affirmed.
President Donald Trump and Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin raise a bowl of shamrocks [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]
Trump claims to be ‘the toughest ever’ on Russia
Much of the focus during their meeting also centered on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has been under full-scale invasion by Russia since February 2022.
Just a day before, on Tuesday, US and Ukrainian officials agreed on a 30-day ceasefire proposal during discussions in Saudi Arabia, although Russia has yet to accept this offer.
Trump recognized that US envoys were en route to Moscow to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to the ceasefire. However, Putin has stated he will not commit to a temporary truce due to concerns about Ukraine potentially re-arming.
Prime Minister Martin’s visit brought to mind the last time a foreign leader visited the Oval Office. On February 28, President Zelenskyy of Ukraine came to the White House to negotiate a deal that would afford the US rights over part of his country’s rare earth minerals in exchange for support.
However, the meeting veered off course, with Trump chastising Zelenskyy for not expressing sufficient gratitude and exhibiting “disrespect.” Trump further accused Zelenskyy of lacking a genuine desire for peace in Ukraine.
Trump referenced that encounter once more on Wednesday while seated next to Martin.
“I’ve always maintained that Ukraine may have been the more challenging party. You witnessed that. You were present a week ago when some intriguing events unfolded,” Trump remarked. “I had someone who didn’t seem to pursue peace, but now he’s agreed to it.”
He also took care to present a tough image regarding Putin, a leader he has previously praised publicly. During the meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump had declared, “Putin has experienced a great deal with me,” although it was not clear what he was referring to.
Currently, Putin is subject to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
“What I enforced upon Russia was extraordinarily tough. I was the toughest ever,” Trump asserted, drawing comparisons to past presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush.
He alluded to possibly implementing economic sanctions against Russia, a notion he has hinted at previously. Yet he hesitated.
“In a financial context, certainly, we could initiate actions that would be very detrimental to Russia. It would be devastating for them. But I prefer not to do that because I’m aiming for peace, and we’re nearing a resolution,” Trump stated.
Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin addresses the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon [Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters]
Trump warns of additional tariffs on the EU
While discussions on the peace negotiations captured a significant portion of the president’s focus, he also spoke extensively about one of his preferred economic tools: tariffs.
On Wednesday, the US enacted a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, prompting Canada and the European Union (EU) to impose their own retaliatory trade actions.
However, the trade conflict may escalate, as Trump himself warned from the Oval Office.
“Of course, I will respond,” Trump asserted in response to an inquiry. “The EU was established to exploit the United States.”
He included Ireland in this critique, despite being questioned by a journalist. Instead, he accused Ireland of luring away the US pharmaceutical sector.
“Suddenly, Ireland has our pharmaceutical companies,” Trump remarked. “This beautiful island of five million people has seemingly acquired the entire US pharmaceutical industry.”
Numerous major US pharmaceutical firms, such as Merck and Pfizer, have facilities in Ireland, attracted by lower tax rates.
These companies contribute to a trade deficit with the US, with the US importing $103.3 billion in Irish goods and exporting only $16.5 billion in return as of 2024.
Experts caution that since a majority of Ireland’s pharmaceutical products are shipped unfinished to the US for completion, imposing tariffs could ultimately increase the costs of manufacturing medical products.
Still, Trump framed the trade imbalance as a product of ineffective US leadership.
“The United States should never have permitted this. We had foolish leaders who were clueless. Or, to be fair, they weren’t business savvy,” Trump criticized.
President Donald Trump and Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin depart after the shamrock presentation [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]
Trump describes Ireland’s housing crisis as a ‘good problem’
No encounter with Trump is complete without a few eyebrow-raising comments, as he delivered some of his trademark media-baiting quips, including suggestions about extending his presidency beyond constitutionally stipulated limits.
“Taoiseach, I wish to thank you once more for being here. It’s a privilege, and hopefully we will have at least three more of these gatherings,” Trump concluded at the luncheon.
“We are going to hold this three more times—at minimum. When I say ‘at least’, they go absolutely wild,” he added, gesturing toward the media.
Trump is unable to run for office again in 2028 due to the two-term limit for US presidents.
Moreover, Trump ventured into matters beyond US politics, concerning one of Ireland’s most pressing challenges: the housing crisis.
Experts indicate that population growth has surpassed housing availability, leading to increasing costs for the properties that are on the market. Homelessness rates are climbing, and Ireland’s Central Statistics Office estimates that nearly two-thirds of individuals aged 18 to 34 reside with their parents.
One Irish reporter asked Trump—given his background in real estate—for advice for Martin.
“You know what’s causing the housing crisis?” Trump responded. “They’re thriving. They can’t build houses quickly enough. That’s a good problem, not a bad problem.”
Martin seemed heartened by Trump’s note of support: “That’s quite a good response.”
As questions erupted in the room, Trump reiterated, “Everyone should have that dilemma.”
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