U.S. President Donald Trump met with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin on Wednesday for talks on a wide range of issues. While the two leaders pledged to expand cooperation between their countries, they disagreed on trade and the conflict in Gaza.
The annual meeting at the White House around St. Patrick’s Day is usually a relatively straightforward affair for the United States and Ireland.
Sitting next to Martin in the Oval Office, Trump said he would “of course” respond to the retaliatory tariffs announced by the European Union on Wednesday and said reciprocal tariffs would begin on April 2. Ireland is a member of the European Union.
“We’re going to charge them the same rate they charge us,” Trump said. “If they charge us 25% or 20% or 10% or 2% or 200%, then that’s what we’re going to charge them.” Trump stressed his belief that high tariffs will encourage investment and manufacturing in the United States.
He said Ireland had lured away American pharmaceutical companies and other businesses with low taxes, and told Martin that while he respected that decision, he felt that American leaders should take steps to discourage offshoring.
He said he looked forward to working with Ireland, calling it a beautiful country, but the “huge deficit” in trade had to be addressed.
Martin praised Trump’s personal investments in Ireland, saying he was the only president to have invested in the country. Trump owns a golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland.
Martin also mentioned that companies like pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, which has extensive operations in Ireland and values Ireland’s skilled workforce and good production efficiency, have also announced plans to increase investment in the United States. The
Indianapolis-based drugmaker announced plans to pour money into four new U.S. production plants, more than doubling its announced investment since 2020 to $50 billion. Eli Lilly has been operating in Ireland since 1978 and currently employs more than 3,500 people at three Irish sites.
He said Irish companies are also increasing their investments in the United States, including those of Ryanair. “That’s fair… I think it’s a relationship that can grow,”
Trump said, saying he expected the two countries to work together.
“We have a huge deficit with Ireland and other countries, and we want to balance that deficit as well as possible, and we’re going to work together,” he said.
While none of Trump’s trade measures are aimed directly at Ireland, the country of 5.4 million people maintains a trade surplus with the United States, and U.S.-owned foreign multinationals employ a significant number of Irish workers. Because trade is governed by the European Union, it will be subject to any EU tariffs.
Trump has also threatened to impose tariffs on pharmaceutical products, a major industry in Ireland.
Martin downplayed differences over Gaza, saying both countries urged the release of hostages held by Hamas, which the United States designates as a terrorist organization, and a ceasefire.
Since taking office in January, Trump has restored a close alliance with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that all Palestinians should be relocated from Gaza, at least temporarily, after a peace deal is reached.
In December, Israel announced it was closing its embassy in Ireland, citing the country’s “anti-Israel policies.” One of the policies adopted by Ireland was to recognize an independent Palestinian state in May last year. This greatly displeased Israel.
The Irish leader reiterated his commitment to increasing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave and reiterated his support for a two-state solution, but did not directly answer questions about Trump’s call for the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza.
Trump immediately rebutted questions on the subject, “No one is expelling any Palestinians from Gaza.”
The two leaders then headed to the U.S. Capitol for a traditional lunch.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance joined Trump and Martin in the Oval Office. Vance had breakfast with the Irish leader at his vice presidential residence.
(This article is based on reporting from Reuters.)