Trump Emphasizes ‘Significant’ Trade Imbalance During Talks with Irish PM, Celebrates Robust Bilateral Relations – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
1:24 PM – Wednesday, March 12, 2025
The Prime Minister of Ireland, Micheál Martin, met with President Donald Trump on Wednesday as part of the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, prompting Trump to raise concerns regarding the significant trade imbalance between the two countries.
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Martin has been serving as Taoiseach since January 2025 and previously held the same position from 2020 to 2022, representing the Irish Fianna Fáil party.
During their discussion in the Oval Office, President Trump emphasized the “massive [trade] deficit that we have with Ireland,” expressing his resolve to collaborate with Irish leadership to “balance that out as effectively as we can.”
This meeting occurred shortly after the European Union declared its plan to implement $28 billion in counter-tariffs on American products starting next month, in retaliation to Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
“I’m not criticizing it; they are acting in their own interest for the EU, but it does foster resentment, and we will respond with reciprocal tariffs,” Trump remarked. “The European Union has been quite tough, and it’s our time now. We will get a turn at that too.”
President Trump also addressed the substantial Irish goods trade surplus with the United States, estimated at around $44 billion for 2024.
When asked if Ireland was exploiting the United States, Trump replied:
“I have immense respect for Ireland and what they have accomplished. They should have done exactly what they did. But the United States shouldn’t have allowed it to occur. We had foolish leaders who were clueless,” he said.
Furthermore, Trump mentioned the rapid expansion of U.S. pharmaceutical firms operating in Ireland.
“Suddenly, Ireland has garnered our pharmaceutical companies; this beautiful island of five million people has an impressive hold on the entire U.S. pharmaceutical sector,” he continued. “The Irish are intelligent, and through favorable taxes, they made it very appealing for businesses to relocate there.”
“We aim to ensure fairness and don’t intend to harm Ireland, and [Martin] comprehends that.”
Meanwhile, Martin countered by stating that foreign investment is a two-way street, highlighting that Ireland is “investing significantly more in America now.”
“I believe there is potential for these companies to expand in America, and many have already announced important manufacturing investments,” he noted.
Before his meeting with President Trump, Martin participated in a breakfast hosted by Vice President JD Vance, during which he acknowledged the United States as a long-time ally of Ireland.
Martin praised the U.S.-Ireland relationship, asserting that the country is “prepared to contribute to efforts aimed at resolving conflicts and securing peace in Ukraine, the Middle East, or elsewhere.”
During the breakfast, Vance described the U.S.-Ireland relationship as “one of the great alliances and friendships between nations.”
“A vital area for collaboration with our Irish allies in the upcoming years is technology, especially artificial intelligence,” Vance stated.
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