Breaking News: Ireland holds its breath ahead of taoiseach’s Trump meeting… Continue Reading

The nation holds its breath” has become a legendary expression in Ireland.

It has nothing to do with high politics or indeed St Patrick’s Day celebrations – rather, it was coined by a sports commentator during the 1990 World Cup in Italy as the Republic of Ireland performed beyond expectations to progress to the quarter finals.

Now, 35 years later, it could be an apt description once more of how the people of Ireland are feeling as the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin goes to the White House to meet the US President Donald Trump for the annual St Patrick’s week celebrations.

The outcome of the recent visit by the Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House is the backdrop this year.

And it comes with ongoing concern in Ireland about the impact of new US tariffs on the Irish economy.

Historically few people outside of Ireland and the Irish diaspora have paid much attention to the annual St Patrick’s week event.

It’s part of celebrations to honour Ireland’s patron saint, St Patrick.

The symbolism comes by way of the taoiseach presenting the sitting US President with a bowl of shamrock, a nod to St Patrick’s religious association with the green trefoil, which – along with the harp – is one of two official Irish state symbols.

Most of the serious conversations – traditionally about matters such as Irish-American relations and the peace process as well as sharing views on any relevant global matters of the moment – normally take place away from prying eyes and ears.

Les Devlin told BBC News NI that it was great to have access to the White House but added that he “wouldn’t be leaving without getting a comment across” and getting “something out of it”.

“It’s huge access, when you think of the world leaders who have been there over the last few weeks, to have that avenue,” he said.

“But I have a funny feeling he’s going to go over there and it’s a bit of a nod and a wink to Ireland type of thing and for Trump it’s all about just the Irish vote.

“But I definitely think we shouldn’t leave without getting our say in.”

Mr Devlin said it was important to “stand up” to Trump.

“He has a golf resort here and I’d like to remind him of that,” he added.

Michelle O’Connell said the meeting was “the right thing to do from a diplomatic perspective” and also “showcases Ireland”.

She said she hoped the taoiseach will get a “better reception” than Zelensky and “the door won’t be closed to us”.

“Hopefully, again, we’ll have a good relationship with the States. They’ve always been good to us from a trade perspective and we would like to keep that going.”

Zelensky’s White House visit
The Irish public normally sees the event in fairly simple terms – a meet and greet to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and all it means to Ireland and Irish Americans.

This time it’s different.

The fallout from the recent visit of Zelensky to the White House has changed things.

Since then, the impending meeting has been featuring prominently across television, radio, newspaper, and social media platforms in Ireland.

Many are taking some comfort from a widely held view, domestically and internationally, that Martin is experienced and skilled at diplomatic relations.

But if Martin or his advisors were aware of the commentary at home, their trip across the Atlantic would have been weighed down with a plethora of advice about what to do or not to do, and what to say or not say, during his meeting with Trump.

The meeting comes amid widespread concern in Ireland about the new US administration’s view on tax and tariffs and how this could potentially pose a risk to the Irish economy which has a high dependency on the jobs and taxes generated by the inward investment of big US tech and pharmaceutical companies.

This matters because these firms employ a lot of Irish people, many of whom are young and highly educated, and either work from home or travel to bigger towns and cities to work for these companies.

Then, there’s the unprecedented global interest in this meeting as Martin becomes the first European leader to visit the White House since the Ukrainian president left the building early.

How will the taoiseach handle such delicate geopolitical issues such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and the Trump administration’s views on a range of issues relating to the European Union?

The Irish government has been fierce in its criticism of Israel over its actions in Gaza, which led to the Israeli government’s decision to close its embassy in Ireland.

But, in particular, Irish people at home and around the world desperately want this meeting to “pass off without incident” and to continue the historical upward trajectory of previous St Patrick’s week celebrations at the White House.

In the past that has traditionally resulted in the renewal and strengthening of Irish-US social, political, and economic relations.

That’s the hope again this time, but there is no doubt that many people here in Ireland are unusually anxious about this particular St Patrick’s week meeting.

Once more, the nation holds its breath.