US President Donald Trump has said he does not want to do anything to harm Ireland, despite raising concerns over the country’s tax policies and their impact on American businesses.
Speaking during a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Oval Office today, Trump said that Ireland had been “very smart” in attracting American companies through favourable taxation.
“We do have a massive deficit with Ireland, because Ireland was very smart, they took our pharmaceutical companies away from Presidents that didn’t know what they were doing, and it’s too bad that happened,” Trump said.
“The Irish are smart — you’re smart people. And you took our pharmaceutical companies, and other companies, away through taxation — proper taxation. And they made it very, very good for companies to move over there.”
Trump suggested that previous US leaders had failed to protect American business interests.
“We had Presidents and people were involved in this that had no idea what they were doing, and they lost big segments of our economy,” he said.
Trump criticises the EU approach to US business as “unfair”
The President also criticised the European Union, describing its approach to American businesses as unfair.
“The European Union’s been very tough, and it’s our turn now — we get a turn of that also,” he said. “They sued Apple, and won $17 billion, and they used that for other reasons, I guess, to run the European Union. So I’m not knocking it — they’re doing what they should be doing, perhaps for the European Union, but it does create ill will.”
Trump, however, insisted that he respected Ireland’s approach.
“You did the right thing — I’m not upset with you,” he told Martin. “I think I respect what you’ve done. You’ve done a great job. But our people did a very bad job.”
Martin defends Ireland’s foreign investment policy
Martin defended Ireland’s foreign direct investment policy, highlighting the contribution Irish companies make to the American economy.
“If I could, Mr. President, it’s a two-way street as well,” Martin said.
“We are investing a lot more in America now, and people may not realise, but Ryanair, one of our biggest airlines, for example, and AerCap — the two of them together buy more Boeing airplanes than anybody else outside of America.
“So that’s a little known fact — it doesn’t turn up in the statistics, but Ryanair and AerCap, Irish companies, have done great work with Boeing…and there’s a lot of Irish companies here now. There are about 700 odd Irish companies based in America, [such as] Glanbia…a lot of them creating thousands of jobs.”
Trump downplays speculation of tension
Trump downplayed speculation that he might adopt a more confrontational stance toward Ireland.
“We won in the eighties [as in, 80%] with Irish,” he said.
“I got the Irish vote, I think I have it locked up pretty good, unless I did something pretty stupid, like drained your country, your wonderful place, of all of its companies. If I drained Ireland of all the companies, maybe I’d lose the Irish vote, I don’t know.
“But no, I love it. I’ve been there many times, as you know, and we don’t want to do anything to hurt Ireland. But we do want fairness. And he [Micheál Martin] understands that.”
Ireland’s housing crisis due to economic success – Trump
The meeting also touched on Ireland’s housing crisis, with Trump suggesting it was a symptom of the country’s economic success.
“You know why they [Ireland] have a housing crisis?” he said. “Because they’re doing so well. They can’t produce houses fast enough — that’s a good problem, not a bad problem.”
Martin responded jokingly, saying, “That’s a very good answer, Mr. President,” which elicited laughter from the room.
Trump also gestured at Martin, saying “I know this gentleman – he’ll get it solved,” referring to Ireland’s housing issues.
Praise for Ireland’s boxing heritage
Trump also spoke warmly about Ireland’s boxing heritage, specifically mentioning UFC fighter Conor McGregor.
“I do happen to like your fighter [Conor McGregor] — he’s got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen,” Trump said.
“Conor’s great, right? But you have a lot of great Irish fighters, actually. Great Irish fighters. I don’t know what that is, but Ireland’s always had a lot of good fighters. You know why? Because they’re tough people, they’re smart people and they’re passionate people.”
He also made reference to Martin’s father, who was a boxer.
“I think your father was a great fighter, wasn’t he?” Trump said.
Martin confirmed this, saying his father had boxed for Ireland.
“That means you’re like him genetically, I’m not going to mess around with you,” Trump joked, prompting laughter in the room.
Broader context on US-Ireland relations
Trump’s comments come amid growing scrutiny of US-Ireland trade relations.
Ireland has long been a major destination for American foreign direct investment, with US companies attracted by low corporate tax rates and business-friendly policies. However, Trump’s previous criticism of trade imbalances and the European Union’s handling of American companies has led to speculation about potential policy shifts.
Martin’s visit to the White House is part of the annual St. Patrick’s Day diplomatic mission, which includes the traditional shamrock ceremony.