US PRESIDENT Donald Trump today hailed Irish people as “a great people” as he signed an order proclaiming March Irish American heritage month.
The practice of making March Irish American heritage month is a tradition of American Presidents ahead of St Patrick’s Day.
The order recognises the “crucial role in our great American story” played by Irish immigrants who lived in the States and helped to build the country.
While signing the order, President Trump told media: “A great people. And they voted for me in heavy numbers so I like them even more.
“You have to like them. You know you’re not supposed to but you have to like them.”
A press release from the White House hailed the “long friendship strengthened by economic ties, a shared commitment to democracy and the timeless values of faith, family and freedom” shared by Ireland and the US.
The statement from President Trump adds: “As my Administration works to correct trade imbalances with the European Union, our historic relationship with Ireland presents an opportunity to advance fairer trade policies and stronger investment opportunities that benefit both nations.”
This statement on trade will come as a signal to Taoiseach Micheal Martin as he prepares to visit the White House next week to mark St Patrick’s Day.
It’s part of a long tradition of previous Taoisigh who have travelled to the US on 17 March and given the US President a bowl of shamrock.
The Trump administration have threatened tariffs on EU goods coming into the States which could greatly damage the Irish economy due to the volume of pharmaceuticals created in Ireland and sold to the U.S.
Some of Trump’s advisors have repeatedly targetted Ireland’s bumper budget surpluses created by corporation taxes from American companies based here.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin this week said he would ensure that President Trump knows how much Irish companies invest in the U.S and will use Ryanair’s purchase of American planes as an example.
He said: “I think the economic relationship between Ireland and the United States is a very robust one.
“Certainly I will take the opportunity to articulate the very significant contribution that Irish companies make to creating jobs in the U.S particularly companies like Ryanair and others do extraordinary business in the US but also support and create a lot of jobs in the US so it’s a two way street.”
And speaking to reporters in Dublin, Martin said that he “will give our perspective” on the issue at the White House.
MEETING WITH EU LEADERS
Martin yesterday met with EU leaders in Brussels for an emergency “war summit” as they discussed an €800bn plan to ‘Re-arm Europe’.
The Fianna Fail leader said European countries need to splash the cash on their militaries “to ensure peace and prosperity into the future” and send a signal to the world that Europe is self-reliant.
And the Taoiseach revealed that Ireland’s bumper defence spending will now focus on cybersecurity threats, maritime threats and the procurement of radar to scan our skies.
The EU war summit has signed off on the lifting of spending rules to enable countries to ramp up their defences by purchasing new weapons and hardware.
A special €150billion loan fund will be set aside from the EU budget to help countries who cannot afford to pump money into their military.
It is estimated 20 countries could sign up to the “coalition of the willing” to protect against Russian aggression.
And Martin said the €800bn EU war chest is needed for other member states who feel “very vulnerable at the moment in terms of the Russian threat”.
