Trump Accuses Ireland of Luring US Companies During Meeting with Taoiseach

Donald Trump has charged Ireland with appropriating the US pharmaceutical sector and the tax revenue due to the US treasury, causing a setback for Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who had hoped to navigate a visit to the White House during St Patrick’s Day without issues.

The US president displayed a blend of respect and jest towards Martin while also issuing multiple criticisms of the EU.

He consistently targeted Ireland’s historically low-tax policies, which have successfully attracted major US corporations like Pfizer, Boston Scientific, and Eli Lilly to establish operations there.

The pharmaceutical industry now significantly contributes to Ireland’s €72 billion (£60 billion) annual exports to the US, with taxes collected in Ireland for drugs sold in the US.

“The Irish are clever, yes, clever people,” Trump remarked. “You’ve taken our pharmaceutical companies and other firms… This beautiful island of 5 million people holds the entirety of the US pharmaceutical sector.”

In the Oval Office, Trump mentioned he did not want to impose too harsh a penalty on Ireland as it could jeopardize support from the American-Irish demographic, asserting his intention to “recover” America’s “wealth,” and predicting a straightforward fight with the EU.

“I believe the Irish love Trump,” he stated. “We secured a tremendous amount of their vote. I have it pretty much secured unless I commit a major blunder, like depleting your incredible country of all its companies. Maybe then I’d lose the Irish vote.”

Trump also asserted that past presidents had “lost significant parts” of the US economy to Europe and reiterated his claim that “the EU was formed to exploit the United States.”

Commenting on the EU’s successful lawsuit against Apple, which required the company to pay €13 billion (£11 billion) in back taxes to Ireland, he said: “Apple has faced significant unfair treatment… That is unjust.”

In a series of flattering comments, Martin noted that Ireland contested the EU case in the European Court of Justice, stemming from its aim to retain US tech giants like Intel, Microsoft, and Google, which have established their EU headquarters in and around Dublin.

He also pointed out that Irish companies Ryanair and AerCap, the world’s largest aircraft leasing firm, purchase more Boeing planes made in the US than any others.

Nodding in agreement, Trump stated, “I’m not blaming you. I’m blaming the European Union. The European Union’s been targeting our companies.”

“We have a dilemma with the European Union. They refuse to accept our agricultural products. They don’t take our cars. Conversely, we import millions of cars, including BMWs, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagens.”

A digest of the morning’s main headlines from the Europe edition emailed direct to you every weekday.

Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online ads, and content funded by third parties. For more details, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to secure our website, and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

after newsletter promotion

Referring to the former German chancellor, Trump recounted: “I asked Angela Merkel back then, ‘Angela, how many Chevrolets do we have in the heart of Munich?’ [She answered:] ‘None at all’… No, I’m not content with the European Union.”

He expressed he did not desire to “harm Ireland” but instead sought fairness.

“I wish to see the United States not having been so foolish for so many years, not just regarding Ireland, but with everyone,” he remarked.

Following an hour-long press briefing, the subsequent private meeting between Trump and Martin lasted merely 10 minutes, highlighting the importance the president places on media-facing meetings.

Trump’s remarks came as the EU revealed intentions to enact “countermeasures” on up to €26 billion worth of US imports after Washington enacted 25% tariffs on worldwide imports of steel and aluminum.

An EU official indicated that negotiating with the US at this moment was pointless, likening it to disputing over spoiled fish.

“It is not very fruitful to initiate discussions about removing the tariffs now,” the official stated. “You’ve laid a foul fish on the table, and then you begin to negotiate its removal, then claim, ‘Wow, we’ve achieved a great outcome: there’s no foul fish on the table.’ That is not a very constructive dialogue.

“What we are seeking in negotiations is a constructive conversation that generates value for the largest trade and investment partnership globally, which is the transatlantic relationship.”