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US president’s brief tour resulted in win on whiskey tariffs and put life into debate on unity
Micheál Martin shakes hands with Donald Trump before the presentation of the winner's trophy at the Irish Open. Photograph: Anna Moneymaker/GettyEvery encounter with the US president is a bare-knuckle ride, with several politicians and officials acknowledging in the days before the visit that anything could happen.
In advance of any meeting with Trump, emerging without an obvious disaster is the summit of their ambition. But his visit to Ireland went better than anyone expected.
The whiskey wheeze, announced on the 18th green at Doonbeg as he prepared to present the Irish Open trophy to Offaly’sSinn Féin, SNP and Plaid Cymru leaders unite in call for constitutional change But there was no expectation that it would be concluded in such spectacular fashion – evidence once again that Trump is, first of all, a showman. Three high-ranking sources who discussed the issue privately pointed to the role of Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ireland’s ambassador to Washington, who was ubiquitous over the weekend and who has, one person familiar with the landscape says, “cracked Trumpworld”.
People around Government were keen to play down the significance of Trump’s comments on a united Ireland, even if they made headlines all over the world and infuriated Unionists and Conservatives in Trump seems to have put some degree of forethought into his comments. Irish Government sources were aware the issue would be raised, though they did not know in what manner exactly. What his calculation was in doing it is harder to fathom.
Was it a friendly signal to Irish-American voters in advance of November’s midterm elections in the US? Part of his regular campaign of barbs against the UK? An attempt to curry favour with his hosts? Was it a combination of all of that plus Trump’s tendency to shoot from the hip on all sorts of issues?and the leaders of the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru in Wales together on Monday.
They said in a joint agreement, aimed at putting pressure on Downing Street to hold referendums on independence, that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end”. , more accustomed to denouncing Trump, issued a slightly pained statement in agreement with the president: “As Connolly-ite republicans, we recognise that Trump’s intervention on the unity question does mark a renewed and welcome focus upon the need for the Irish Government to take preparatory steps towards the holding of a unity referendum.
”Speaking on RTÉ Radio on Monday – in what looked like an attempt to do a lap of honour but also manage the fallout from Trump’s comments – the Taoiseach emphasised that co-operation between Dublin and London was the essential foundation of all progress in Northern Ireland. There are fears that Trump’s comments might make it harder to make progress with the British on two issues thatidentified in recent days in advance of a meeting with British prime minister that was due to take place this week.
However, news of the death of These are “legacy” issues, principally investigating Troubles-era crimes by the British security forces, and making clearer the criteria that a British government might use to decide about holding a Border poll in future. The Martin has mused about teasing it out with the British.
In the wake of Trump’s comments – and the declaration by nationalist parties in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales on Monday that they intend to break up the UK – the UK government may be less inclined to explore the issue immediately. Whatever comes out of the first Martin-Burnham summit, the two men can agree that the reality of statecraft and international politics in 2026 requires a facility in dealing with the unpredictable and mercurial occupant of the White House.
This weekend demonstrated the necessity of that, but also, bluntly, the benefits of being Trump’s friend. What’s the best way to make Ireland more equal? Landlord who advertised house at higher rent after evicting family ordered to pay €15,000The Irish Times view on the French presidential election: a key contest for EuropeOur politics team's behind-the-scenes take on events of the day. Sent Monday to Friday when the Dáil is in session
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