Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly fielded several questions about Northern Ireland's planned engagement with the US over the St. Patrick's Day period during Question Time in the Assembly on Monday, February 17.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill, also the Vice President of Sinn Féin, was not in attendance for Question Time in the Assembly on Monday.
The first question was put forth by DUP MLA David Brooks, who asked leaders to outline their plans for engagement in the US during the St. Patrick's Day period.
"The St Patrick's Day period offers an opportunity to deepen our connections with the US," Little-Pengelly said in response.
"This year, there are around a dozen events being organised.
"Currently, however, no invitations have been issued from the White House to Ministers.
"Once we have confirmation of the full range of events in Washington DC, the First Minister and I will consider our plans for engagement."
She continued: "It is important that Northern Ireland be represented, but we need to balance that against value for money and commitment to leadership here at home."
In a follow-up question, Brooks asked: "Given the change in Administration, does she agree that engagement in DC, in particular, is crucial to build those relations. The Finance Minister outlined just last week Northern Ireland's £1 billion worth of exports. There is a need to lobby for a special economic envoy. Does the Minister hope to undertake that engagement?"
Little-Pengelly responded: "We should always endeavour to build those positive relationships.
"There is an opportunity because, as outlined, there are Scots-Irish and Ulster-Scots links, particularly through the Vice President [JD Vance], who has spoken about those connections before.
"There is an opportunity to have those soft diplomatic links, not just for investment and trade, which have always been a key focus, but given our cultural identity and shared history."
She continued: "It is important to remember that we should cherish the opportunities that we get to engage with the US president and Administration. Many other places do not get the access that we do.
"When we engage with the United States president and Administration, we engage with the office of the president.
"I went to the US last year. There are many things that I do not agree with former President Biden on, but I went because I was engaging with the office of the president.
"It is not about engaging with the person; it is about engaging with the office for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland.
"We have had significant success with foreign direct investment and growing links with the US, and we must continue that."
In another follow-up, Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew asked if the Deputy First Minister is concerned about the potential loss of funding to the International Fund of Ireland.
Little-Pengelly said every change of Administration brings a change of "tone, direction, and views," adding: "We will always do everything that we can to fight and push for the best deal for Northern Ireland."
She said: "We have had many contributions to Northern Ireland from those types of funds over many decades, which have always been appreciated.
"We have raised the issue. We want to see the funding continue. We will do everything that we can to continue that engagement to ensure that it does."
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Alliance Party MLA Paula Bradshaw then asked the Minister to "outline when the international relations strategy will be updated to take account of the change of Administration in the US, which, in recent weeks, has been aggressive towards its neighbours and others."
Little-Pengelly said: "Many key areas of the international relations strategy are not devolved, but we have engagements to attract inward investment, in which we have had some success, and to build relationships and networks in the US and beyond.
"As indicated, we should continue to endeavour to do that.
"It was right and proper that revision of the international relations strategy was delayed until we saw the outcome of the presidential election. We are working through some of the implications of that.
"It is clear that President Trump will take a strong America-first policy. That may well have impact on, for example, the levels of foreign direct investment coming from the US, given the tariff regimes that may be entered into.
"We will consider all those things in due course and make sure that our international relations strategy is fit for purpose so that we can influence as much as possible where it is practical to do so."
Little-Pengelly's comments come amid speculation that the Trump administration could scale the St. Patrick's Day engagements back as Republicans are reportedly "struggling to see what they get" out of it.
In Ireland, Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris have indicated that they do intend to go to Washington, DC.
The Taoiseach told RTÉ News last week: "There is never actually a specific invitation. It just gets worked out between the two administrations. We're anticipating the tradition will be continued again."
Meanwhile, an online petition calling for politicians across the island of Ireland to boycott the White House this March has drawn more than 3,500 signatures as of Monday evening. A similar petition was launched last year when Biden was still in office.
Northern Ireland's SDLP has confirmed it is boycotting the events in the US, as has People Before Profit in Ireland.
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