Taoiseach Micheál Martin is set to meet President Donald Trump in the White House on Wednesday, March 12, for the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
That’s what we do know. What sort of reception the taoiseach will get, now that is the question.
With tensions growing between the U.S. and Europe over trade tariffs, as well as major Foreign Affairs differences between Ireland and the new administration over Gaza and Ukraine, their meeting before the press could make for an interesting encounter.
The White House St. Patrick’s Day reception, including the traditional shamrock gifting ceremony, will take place in the evening. the Taoiseach will present President Trump with the traditional shamrock bowl while extending St. Patrick’s Day greetings from the people of Ireland to the people of the United States.
Speaking ahead of his U.S. visit, which takes place from Monday to Friday, the taoiseach said: “Saint Patrick’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate Ireland’s international connections and partnerships, which enrich both Ireland and our partners overseas.
"The U.S. is one of Ireland’s strongest partners, a partnership built on a rich foundation of ancestral ties and close economic, diplomatic and political links. I am looking forward to visiting Austin and Washington to celebrate this enduring and dynamic relationship. My visit will aim to further strengthen the bonds between our two countries with a focus on economic, political and people-to-people connections.
“It is the people-to-people connections and our diaspora in the US that is the engine that drives the relationship between Ireland and the U.S. Many of the events in Austin and Washington, D.C. will be an opportunity to recognise their invaluable contribution both to the U.S. across the fields of innovation, creativity, community development, business, and academia, and to deepening the close bonds across the Atlantic.”
The taoiseach said this week’s visit is also an opportunity to highlight the strong and growing trade and investment relationship between the two countries.
“Ireland is the sixth largest source of foreign direct investment in the U.S., supporting hundreds and thousands of jobs across the U.S. This substantial investment underscores the commitment of Irish enterprises to the U.S. market and reflects a deepening economic interdependence between the two countries. I look forward to engaging with Irish and U.S. companies working to grow this mutually beneficial relationship.
“I also look forward to attending South by Southwest in Austin where I will help to showcase Ireland’s well-deserved reputation for innovation and creativity and to support business–to-business connections in key sectors.
“I am delighted to be meeting with President Trump and to have an opportunity to reflect with him on the bilateral relationship. President Trump knows Ireland well, having visited on a number of occasions and I know that his beautiful golf club in Doonbeg is very close to his heart. I will update him on the situation in Northern Ireland and express our deep appreciation to the U.S. for their continued support for peace and reconciliation on our island.
“My visit to the U.S. comes at a moment of great peril for the world. The U.S. remains an indispensable partner and global actor. I look forward to discussing with President Trump how Ireland, together with our EU partners, can work with him and his administration to end conflict and to secure peace, whether in the Middle East or in Ukraine.”
On the evening of Thursday, March 13, the taoiseach will attend the annual Ireland Funds National Gala, which will be an opportunity to reflect on the strong and deep relationship between Ireland and the U.S. and to thank the U.S. for its immense contribution to fostering peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
