At the annual Shamrock Ceremony, held in the White House in honour of St. Patrick’s Day, Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin delivered a powerful speech highlighting the deep economic and historical ties between Ireland and the United States.
Addressing President Donald Trump and an audience of distinguished guests, Martin underscored the significance of the partnership between the two nations, emphasising trade, investment, and shared prosperity.
“All across the United States, men and women go to work every morning in Irish-owned companies,” Martin remarked.
“Those companies play a key role in the US economy, operating in every sector, in every State.”
The Taoiseach highlighted the mutually beneficial relationship between Irish and American businesses, noting that “some of your great American manufacturing companies count Irish buyers as their top client, with order books worth many billions of dollars – supporting the jobs of hundreds of thousands of fantastic American workers.”
Martin proudly pointed out Ireland’s growing role as a key investor in the United States, stating, “Ireland is now in the top ten as a source of foreign direct investment in the US – not bad for a small island.”
He reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to economic cooperation, declaring, “Ireland likes to trade with the US and the US likes to do business with Ireland because we are strong and reliable partners.”
He addressed President Trump directly: “Mr. President, let’s do even more and better together.”
Drawing on the rich history between the two nations, Martin spoke of the Irish labourers who helped build the United States: “In the past, Irish labourers came to help build the new Republic, the beacon on the hill.
“They even built this beautiful White House. They built the roads and the railroads that made this mighty Union possible.”
Fast forward to today, he emphasized, “Irish companies are building the infrastructure connecting the United States in the 21st century.”
The Taoiseach also acknowledged the importance of American investment in Ireland, saying, “American companies continue to invest in Ireland, where our access to the European market, talented workforce, and consistent and stable business environment makes us one of the best places in the world to do business.”
Reflecting on Ireland’s outward-looking perspective, Martin concluded, “Our island is home to a people with an outward perspective, generations of whom have looked to the US for opportunity and inspiration. We’ve built prosperity through free and fair trade with partners all over the world, and particularly here in these United States.”
He closed his speech with a call to action: “Let us continue to build on that foundation, bringing ever-growing prosperity to both our great peoples.
“Let us continue to work together to make sure that we maintain that mutually beneficial two-way economic relationship that has allowed innovation and creativity and prosperity to thrive.”
*This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.
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