President Trump welcomed Ireland’s leader, Micheál Martin, to the White House for the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The visit came as tensions over trade between the U.S. and Europe reached a boiling point. Trump didn’t hold back, calling out Ireland for what he called unfair trade practices. He pointed to the $85 billion trade deficit with Ireland and slammed past U.S. leaders for letting American companies move jobs overseas. “We had stupid leaders,” Trump said, highlighting Ireland’s low corporate taxes that attract big pharma companies.
The Irish prime minister pushed back gently, calling the trade relationship a “two-way street.” He noted that Irish companies like Ryanair buy billions in American-made Boeing planes, creating thousands of U.S. jobs. But Trump stood firm, vowing to protect American workers. “The deficit is massive,” he said, adding that Europe—including Ireland—was built to “take advantage” of the U.S.
The meeting wasn’t all business. Trump showed off his playful side, handing out red hats that read “Trump Was Right About Everything” to staffers. Vice President JD Vance got into the spirit too, wearing shamrock socks to a breakfast with Martin. The leaders later attended a Capitol Hill luncheon hosted by Speaker Mike Johnson, where Trump joked about Irish politicians boycotting the event over his tough stance on Israel.
Trade wasn’t the only flashpoint. Trump’s new 25% tariffs on European steel and aluminum triggered swift retaliation from the EU. Ireland’s leader called the tariffs “damaging,” warning they’d hike prices for consumers. But Trump fired back, threatening a 200% tax on European wines if the EU didn’t back down. Conservative voices praised Trump for standing up to foreign freeloaders, calling it a win for American jobs.
The visit also highlighted Ireland’s deep economic ties to the U.S. Martin stressed that over 700 Irish companies operate stateside, employing 50,000 Americans. But Trump made clear the days of one-sided deals are over. “We’re going to work together great,” he said, “but not like before.”
Despite the friction, both leaders kept things friendly. Trump praised Ireland’s history and his Irish-American roots, while Martin called him a “gracious host.” The event stayed true to tradition, with the Oval Office bowl of shamrocks and a White House reception.
Behind the scenes, Trump’s team is preparing tougher trade demands. Experts say Europe’s reliance on U.S. markets gives Trump the upper hand. Meanwhile, Ireland faces pressure to choose between its EU allies and its vital American partnership.
As the St. Patrick’s Day festivities wrapped up, conservatives cheered Trump for putting America first. His mix of hardball trade tactics and Irish charm showed why supporters love him—he fights for U.S. workers while keeping things entertaining. With Europe on edge, Trump’s message was clear: the era of American weakness is over.
