US President Donald Trump has said he would like to see a united Ireland, describing the prospect as a “great thing” during his two-day visit to the Republic of Ireland.
Trump made the comments while speaking to reporters during his visit, where he has been holding talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and other Irish leaders.
Asked about the possibility of Northern Ireland becoming part of a united Ireland, Trump said he did not want to cause problems but expressed his personal support for the idea.
“I’d love to see it unified,” Trump said, adding that it would be a “cool thing”. He acknowledged, however, that the issue was highly sensitive and difficult to comment on without causing controversy.
“It’s one of those questions where no matter what you say, there’s no good answer,” the US president said.
Trump’s remarks have attracted attention because Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom, while Irish nationalists support reunification with the Republic of Ireland. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland’s constitutional status can change if a majority of its people vote in favour of reunification.
The UK government has responded to Trump’s comments, while Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party said the region’s constitutional future would not be determined by statements made in London, Dublin or Washington.
Trump’s comments come during a visit focused on diplomatic relations, economic ties and his interest in Irish golf.
Following his meetings in Dublin, the US president is due to travel to his golf resort in Doonbeg, County Clare, where the Irish Open tournament is taking place.
The visit has also been accompanied by protests, with demonstrations expected in both Dublin and Doonbeg.
Trump previously visited Ireland in 2019, when he spent time at his Doonbeg golf resort. His latest visit has attracted significant security preparations by Irish authorities.
The issue of Irish unity remains one of the most politically sensitive questions on the island, with unionists generally supporting Northern Ireland remaining within the United Kingdom and nationalists favouring reunification with Ireland.
Trump’s comments therefore add an international dimension to an issue that has historically been decided primarily through political negotiations and the wishes of people in Northern Ireland.
