WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Taoiseach Micheál Martin touted the ties between the U.S. and Ireland on Wednesday, carrying on an annual tradition meant to mark the friendship between the two countries around St. Patrick's Day that, this year, comes under the shadow of bubbling trade tensions between America and Europe. 

What You Need To Know

  • President Donald Trump and Taoiseach Micheál Martin touted the ties between the U.S. and Ireland on Wednesday, carrying on an annual tradition meant to mark the friendship between the two countries around St. Patrick's Day 
  • But hanging over the Oval Office meeting was Trump’s latest round of tariffs — this time 25% on all steel and aluminum imports — that took effect just hours before the leaders sat down

  • The move prompted the European Union — of which Ireland belongs — to hit back with their own fees on U.S. goods
  • Trump has made balancing U.S. trade deficits with other countries a top goal of his wide-scale tariff agenda and noted on Wednesday that the U.S. had a "massive deficit" with Ireland 
  • Next, Trump and Martin headed to Capitol Hill for a luncheon hosted by House Speaker Mike Johnson before the two leaders attend a reception at the White House in the early evening

Speaking at a luncheon hosted by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., at the Capitol in the afternoon, Trump praised his Irish counterpart as “terrific” and noted the “deep and abiding ties of history, family and friendship” between the nations.

“The Irish spirit is truly alive and thriving in America,” the president added. 

The taoiseach – the Irish term for leader – called Trump a “great friend” of his country, going on to laud the significance of the annual St. Patrick’s Day visit. 

The sound of bagpipes marked their exit from the Capitol. The pair is set to attend a reception later at the White House to conclude the celebrations. 

But hanging over their day of festivities together was Trump’s latest round of tariffs — this time 25% on all steel and aluminum imports — that took effect just hours before the leaders started their day together by sitting down in the Oval Office on Wednesday morning. The move prompted the European Union — of which Ireland belongs — to hit back with its own fees on U.S. goods, with Trump’s broader reciprocal tariffs on major trading partners still set to take effect in three weeks. 

“Of course I will respond,” Trump said in the Oval Office when asked if he will hit back against the EU’s new duties. 

The president defended his tariff strategy, even as its on-again, off-again nature has rattled markets in the U.S. 

“It's called flexibility. It's not called inconsistency,” Trump insisted.

At the same time, he said there will be “very little flexibility” when it comes to his April 2 reciprocal fees. 

Trump has made balancing U.S. trade deficits with other countries a top goal of his wide-scale tariff agenda and often points out such deficits with other countries when their leaders come to visit. Ireland ranked fifth among countries the U.S. recorded the largest trade deficits with last year, amounting to more than $85 billion, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The U.S. president has been particularly critical of the EU, recently claiming it was only created to “screw” America. He reiterated the sentiment on Wednesday, this time using the word “advantage” instead of “screw.” Asked if that included Ireland, Trump said it does, before noting that he has “great respect” for the country. 

“We’re going to work together great, but the deficit is massive,” Trump said, referring to Ireland. 

Ireland has also relied on its low corporate tax rate for business. Asked if he was going to lower America’s to meet Ireland’s, Trump responded that he was “planning to lower taxes if the Democrats behave.” 

Earlier in the week, the Irish leader stressed the reliance of his nation’s economy on the U.S., noting “thousands and thousands of jobs depend on the economic relationship” between the two. As of 2023, Ireland exported more goods to America than any other country, according to the Central Statistics Office. 

Martin in the Oval Office noted that Ireland is “investing a lot more in America,” pointing in particular to the relationship between Irish airline Ryanair and American company Boeing. 

Meanwhile, the war in the Gaza Strip was also expected to be a significant topic on the agenda in the pair’s meeting, as Ireland has long been considered one of the most passionate supporters of a Palestinian state due perhaps, in part, to its history of British occupation. 

Asked about Irish party leaders not taking part in the annual St. Patrick’s Day visit to Washington this year due to Trump’s stance on the war, the president first asked what they were boycotting. When he was told by a reporter, he said that he hadn’t “heard that.”

The taoiseach started his day taking part in the first in a series of festivities that typically accompany an Irish leader’s St. Patrick’s Day visit — a breakfast with the vice president at his or her residence. Vice President JD Vance told Martin he wore shamrock socks for the occasion.