WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Taoiseach Micheál Martin praised ties between the U.S. and Ireland as they took part in the annual tradition of marking St. Patrick’s day together in Washington.
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President Donald Trump and Taoiseach Micheál Martin praised ties between the U.S. and Ireland as they took part in the annual tradition of marking St. Patrick’s day together in Washington
This year, the annual tradition came as U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that launched an ongoing conflict in the nation and Trump’s fresh criticisms of European allies in the NATO alliance for rejecting his ask to help secure a key waterway for oil dominated much of the global conversation
The leader of Ireland – which is a member country in the European Union but not in NATO – appeared to try to smooth tensions during his Oval Office meeting with Trump, saying “the transatlantic relationship between Europe and the U.S. is very, very important”
On the war, Martin agreed with Trump that Iran could not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon but also called for movement toward peace
The Irish leader’s visit to the White House for the holiday has roots dating back to the 1950s and was cemented as a regular occurrence in the ’90s. This year, it came as U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that launched an ongoing conflict in the nation and Trump’s fresh criticisms of NATO allies for rejecting his ask to help secure a key waterway for oil dominated much of the global conversation.
The pair kicked off their festivities together with a sit-down in the Oval Office, chatting about the large Irish population in America and the number of former U.S. presidents – nearly two dozen – with Irish ancestry.
Martin specifically pointed to former presidents Ronald Reagan, a Republican, and John F. Kennedy, a Democrat, to which Trump remarked: “We like the family too – one person in particular,” in an apparent reference to his Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The more than two-week-old war in Iran and Trump’s disappointment – as he repeatedly put it – with NATO allies for not jumping to assist with safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz then took over much of the back-and-forth with reporters. The president lamented European countries in the military alliance for not helping and left the door open to pulling the U.S. out.
The leader of Ireland – which is a member country in the European Union but not in NATO – appeared to try to smooth tensions, saying “the transatlantic relationship between Europe and the U.S. is very, very important.” He also told Trump he has the “capacity” to get along with leaders on the continent.
On the war, Martin agreed with Trump on the notion that Iran could not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon and noted Ireland, along with Europe more broadly, sanctioned the country. But he also stressed the need to move toward a “peaceful resolution of conflict” and said “our hearts go to the Iranian people.”
At one point, Trump’s criticisms turned to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in particular. He called him a “very nice man with a beautiful family” but denounced what he said was the British leader’s lack of support for Trump’s war effort in Iran and specifically for not sending minesweepers – a ship used to remove naval mines – to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also reiterated his longstanding criticisms of Starmer and other European leaders more broadly for their approaches to the issues of immigration and energy.
Martin stepped in to say he just met with Starmer last week and noted the importance of the British-Irish relationship.
“Keir Starmer has done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship,” Martin said. “I just want to put that on the record.”
After their White House meeting, the pair traveled to the other end of Pennsylvania Ave for the Friends of Ireland Luncheon at the Capitol, an annual tradition spearheaded by Reagan and former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill in the 1980s.
Martin is also set to present Trump with a bowl of shamrocks back at the White House Tuesday afternoon in keeping with the annual festivities.
The Irish leader started his day of celebrations in Washington attending a breakfast hosted by Vice President JD Vance at his residence. Vance, who joined Trump in sporting a green tie for the day, told attendees that the event was one of his favorite traditions the U.S. vice president takes part in.