Taoiseach Micheál Martin will not raise the ‘undocumented’ Irish and instead focus on economic issues during his highly-anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House next week, senior Government sources have revealed.
Comments by Mr Trump’s commerce secretary Howard Ludwig – who said he wants to end Ireland’s trade surplus with the US – have underlined the country’s reliance on tax receipts from foreign multinationals.
The US president’s threats to impose trade tariffs have sent economic shockwaves throughout the EU and his closest neighbours, Canada and Mexico, who have all announced retaliatory measures.
Sources said Taoiseach Micheál Martin will stress to President Trump that tariffs could cause damage to a ‘small open economy’ like Ireland’s.
Mr Martin will also remind Mr Trump that Ireland is the sixth highest foreign investor to the US.
In order to avoid the humiliating fate of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Taoiseach will not raise any issues deemed unwelcome to the US administration, which includes the long-running matter of the undocumented Irish. Successive taoisigh have spoken to US presidents regarding the status of ‘illegal’ Irish immigrants since the 1980s But one minister told Extra.ie: ‘Micheál has only one item in mind and that is to speak about the positives of our economic relationships.
‘AMAZING STATISTIC’
‘We are the sixth-highest investors into the United States and that is an amazing statistic for such a small country.
They added: ‘Of course, it is President Trump’s Oval Office, and he is entitled to raise any matter he likes.
‘Mr Trump may want to express concern on the EU’s stance on Ukraine, and on tariffs. But Micheál is a massively experienced frontline politician. And, in my view, is a master diplomat. We are not overly concerned.’
Mr Martin has also promised to reiterate Ireland’s support for Gaza and Ukraine during his meeting with the US President.
But Government insiders say these matters are dealt with in a brief manner, and always behind closed doors.
Government leaders acknowledge there is always the possibility that President Trump could lose his temper in the face of perceived slights from other European leaders.
‘IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH’
But sources told Extra.ie they believe this is unlikely in Mr Martin’s case. The Taoiseach may have breathed a sigh of relief after Mr Trump this week declared March to be ‘Irish-American Heritage Month’ in advance of the annual St Patrick’s visit to Washington.
Sources said this underlines the powerful Irish Republican Party vote in the US.
One Cabinet member told Extra.ie: ‘A huge number of Irish Americans voted for Trump in the election last year, and he said just that himself.
‘Many Irish immigrants and Irish Americans are Republican voters now, the Democrats have lost that demographic, and nobody is more aware of that than Trump.’
As Mr Trump signed a proclamation on Thursday declaring ‘Irish-American Heritage Month’, the President described the Irish as ‘great people’, adding: ‘They voted for me in heavy numbers, so I like them even more. You have to like them, you’re not supposed to but you have to like them.’
The White House in Washington, DC for St. Patrick's Day 2021. (Getty Images)
‘SPECIAL BOND OF FRIENDSHIP’
March has been designated Irish-American Heritage Month every year since 1991, first by a law passed by Congress, and since 1997 by presidential proclamation.
In his written proclamation, President Trump said March will ‘commemorate the special bond of friendship between the United States and Ireland’ and ‘honor the extraordinary contributions of Irish-American citizens past and present’ The proclamation describes Irish-Americans as ‘some of the toughest, most driven, and most devoted people on the face of the Earth’.
It adds: ‘Their faith in God, love of family, and indelible commitment to our national promise continue to inspire citizens all across our country.’
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he will be ‘respectful’ at next week’s meeting with Mr Trump in Washington. But he refused to be drawn on whether he would push back on any claims Mr Trump might make during their Oval Office encounter.
‘I’m honoured to be going to the White House as well as looking forward to, again, celebrating what is a major historic tradition and relationship between Ireland and United States, particularly for Irish Americans and our diaspora there too,’ Mr Martin told reporters ahead of the UK-Ireland political summit in Liverpool.
‘[St] Patrick’s week is always a very significant week and we will be discussing a range of issues, and particularly, again, the importance of the Irish-US relationship, but today it’s about the UK-Irish relationship.’
‘I RESPECT PEOPLE’
He added: ‘People come to the table with different perspectives. I respect people. I respect the offices that people hold.’
Mr Martin will travel to Austin Texas, where he will attend the South by Southwest Festival, before travelling to Washington for a series of engagements.
These will culminate with a meeting with Mr Trump at the White House on Wednesday morning. The Taoiseach will then attend the Speaker’s Lunch on Capitol Hill with the US President before returning to the White House for the traditional shamrock ceremony.
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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