US President Donald Trump is meeting Ireland’s leaders on Saturday before attending the Irish Open at his golf course in Doonbeg. The visit comes amid the war in Iran and his Republican Party’s efforts to retain control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.
Talks with Ireland’s leaders
Trump’s meetings with Irish President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin are not part of an official state visit.
However, coming after the Republican convention and the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the discussions could cover sensitive issues, including economic relations and Irish concerns over the war with Iran.
During the 48-hour trip, anti-war and anti-Trump demonstrations are planned in Dublin and western Ireland, near the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg.
Irish police have said they will conduct one of the largest security operations in the country’s history during the US president’s visit.
Ireland’s position on Israel
Ireland is one of the European Union’s most pro-Palestinian countries. In July, it passed legislation restricting trade in goods from Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The legislation was criticised by US lawmakers and the US ambassador to Ireland.
“The relationship between Ireland and the United States is very important economically,” Martin told reporters when asked about Trump’s visit. “It is very, very important in both directions.”
US-owned companies employ around 10% of Ireland’s workforce. Successive Irish governments have prioritised the jobs and corporate tax revenue they provide, helping the country develop some of Europe’s healthiest public finances in recent years.
Connolly’s meeting with Trump
President Catherine Connolly, who was elected head of state last year, will have more direct contact with Trump in Dublin than during his first presidential visit in 2019.
At the time, Connolly, a politician with left-wing views on foreign policy, protested against Trump’s visit outside Shannon Airport in western Ireland.
Now serving in Ireland’s largely ceremonial presidency, some of her supporters have urged her to speak out against US military action around the world and defend Ireland’s neutrality.
Trump to attend Irish Open
Trump is the eighth serving US president to visit Ireland, following John F. Kennedy, who became the first in 1963.
However, the trip also bears the hallmarks of Trump’s typical weekends, which often include golf outings at properties owned by his company.
The Trump Organization took control of the Doonbeg golf course in 2014. The venue is hosting the Irish Open this weekend, with Trump expected to take part in the trophy presentation to the tournament winner on Sunday.
Source: AMNA
