"The United States and Ireland also enjoy a long friendship strengthened by economic ties, a shared commitment to democracy, and the timeless values of faith, family, and freedom. As my Administration works to correct trade imbalances with the European Union, our historic relationship with Ireland presents an opportunity to advance fairer trade policies and stronger investment opportunities that benefit both nations."
The words of President Trump in his proclamation honoring Irish American Heritage Month.
It is hard to read Trump's mind. Just what is he thinking with regard to that historic relationship being somehow an opportunity to advance what he calls "fairer trade policies?"
This the leader of the world's most powerful nation speaking of a country with fewer than six million souls.
Yes, Ireland does very well in its relationship with the United States, but as Irish leaders visiting the U.S. for St. Patrick's week will say over and over again, the relationship between the two is a well balanced one with a lately prosperous Ireland employing many thousands of Americans across the fifty states.
Of course President Trump, with "America First" on his mind, might not be overly interested in the idea of well balanced dealings with Ireland or any other country.
All of this makes for a most interesting, and challenging, time.
Saint Patrick's Day, and the days surrounding it, have somehow become removed from the idea of a saint in a long past time - a time when a man from across what would one day be the Irish Sea stood up to a powerful king on a hill and proclaimed a new way of looking at life, death and immortality.
Some things never change, even with the passing of many centuries.
Not that Taoiseach Micheál Martin is a saint, or President Trump is a king, but it might do well for the symbolism of the shamrock to return to center stage for March 17.
And so, the Holy Trinity as, well, a truly balanced relationship that all can agree upon as it presents hopeful opportunities for all; and the bowl of shamrock a centerpiece rather than just a prop.
A Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all our readers and advertisers.
