President Donald Trump hosted Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at the White House on Wednesday for their annual St. Patrick’s Day meeting, but the gathering quickly turned into a platform for Trump to air grievances about trade imbalances and Ireland’s tax policies. While the day is traditionally a celebration of Irish-American ties, Trump used the occasion to criticize Ireland and the European Union for what he described as unfair trade practices that have harmed the United States.
During their Oval Office meeting, Trump accused Ireland of taking advantage of the U.S. by attracting American pharmaceutical companies with low corporate tax rates. He claimed that previous U.S. leaders had allowed this to happen, leading to significant losses for the American economy.
“I have great respect for Ireland and what they’ve done,” Trump said. “But the United States shouldn’t have let it happen. We had stupid leaders—leaders who didn’t have a clue. Now, Ireland has our pharmaceutical companies.”
Ireland’s favorable tax policies have long been a point of contention in global trade discussions. Major U.S. pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and Boston Scientific have established operations in Ireland, benefiting from its 12.5% corporate tax rate and access to the European Union market. These companies contribute significantly to Ireland’s economy, driving €72 billion ($77 billion) in annual exports to the U.S., primarily in pharmaceuticals.
Prime Minister Martin responded diplomatically, emphasizing that the trade relationship between the two countries is mutually beneficial. He pointed out that more than 700 Irish companies operate in the United States, creating thousands of jobs. Additionally, Irish airlines like Ryanair and AerCap are among Boeing’s largest customers, purchasing more U.S.-made aircraft than any other non-American buyers.
“It’s a two-way street,” Martin said. “Ireland contributes significantly to the U.S. economy through investment and job creation. That’s a little-known fact that doesn’t always show up in the statistics.”
Martin also highlighted Ireland’s efforts to fight an EU ruling that required Apple to pay €13 billion ($14 billion) in back taxes to Ireland—a move that demonstrated Ireland’s commitment to retaining U.S.-based tech firms like Apple, Google, and Intel.
The meeting came just as Trump implemented 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Europe, escalating an ongoing trade war with the EU. In response, the EU announced plans to impose counter-tariffs on $28 billion worth of U.S. goods starting next month.
Trump defended his aggressive tariff strategy, arguing that it was necessary to protect American industries and reclaim wealth lost to foreign nations. “Whatever they charge us, we’re charging them,” he said. “If they charge us 25%, we’ll charge them 25%.”
He also hinted at imposing even higher tariffs on pharmaceutical imports if necessary. “When these companies started moving to Ireland, I would have said, ‘That’s fine if you want to go there,’ but if you want to sell anything back into the U.S., I’d put a 200% tariff on it,” Trump said. “You know what they would’ve done? They would’ve stayed here.”
Despite the serious trade talk, there were moments of levity during the meeting. Trump was momentarily distracted by Vice President JD Vance’s shamrock-patterned socks, which he praised enthusiastically. “I’m trying to stay focused here, but I love these socks,” Trump said with a laugh.
The conversation also veered into pop culture when a reporter asked Martin about comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s recent move to Ireland. Trump seized the opportunity to joke about his longtime feud with O’Donnell, saying Martin was “better off not knowing” about her.
When asked about his favorite person from Ireland, Trump named mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor, praising his tattoos and fighting style.
The trade relationship between the U.S. and Ireland is complex and marked by significant imbalances. In 2024 alone, U.S. imports from Ireland reached $103 billion—primarily in pharmaceuticals—while exports to Ireland totaled just $22 billion, leaving a trade deficit of over $80 billion.
This imbalance has fueled Trump’s criticism of both Ireland and the EU as entities that exploit favorable trade conditions at America’s expense. However, experts note that much of this dynamic is driven by multinational corporations taking advantage of global tax structures rather than direct government policies.
Trump’s comments about Ireland were part of a broader critique of the European Union. He reiterated his belief that the EU was created “to take advantage of the United States” and expressed frustration over Europe’s resistance to importing American agricultural products and cars while flooding the U.S. market with European goods like BMWs and Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
“I told Angela Merkel at the time: ‘How many Chevrolets do you see in Munich?’ She said none,” Trump recalled. “That’s not fair.”
While Trump insisted he does not want to harm Ireland specifically, he made it clear that he expects fairer trade practices moving forward.
The meeting between Trump and Martin underscored both the strength and tensions in U.S.-Ireland relations. While St. Patrick’s Day celebrations traditionally focus on shared cultural heritage and goodwill, this year’s discussions highlighted significant economic disagreements.
For Martin, navigating these challenges while maintaining strong ties with America remains crucial for Ireland’s economy, which relies heavily on U.S.-based multinationals for jobs and tax revenue.
As both leaders pledged continued cooperation despite their differences, it remains to be seen how these trade disputes will evolve—and whether they will overshadow one of America’s oldest bilateral relationships in years to come.
