Trump reiterates support for united Ireland, says won’t talk about Scotland ‘yet’
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US President Donald Trump and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin (left) at the trophy presentation of the Irish Open on Sept 13 at the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland, Doonbeg.
PHOTO: EPA
DOONBEG, Ireland – US President Donald Trump on Sept 13 reiterated his support for Northern Ireland breaking from the United Kingdom to unify with the Republic of Ireland, but said he would not talk about Scotland becoming independent “yet”.
He surprised officials in Dublin and annoyed pro-British politicians in Northern Ireland and London by enthusiastically backing Irish unity during a visit to Dublin on Sept 12, saying he would “love” to see it happen sooner rather than later.
“You have Northern Ireland and you have Ireland and it would seem to me that one of the naturals of all time is to put them together,” Trump told reporters during a visit to a golf tournament at one of his resorts, doubling down on his initial comments.
“You asked about Scotland. That one I won’t talk about yet. I’ll save that for another day,” he added.
Scotland, where the Trump family also owns a golf resort, voted against independence from the rest of Britain in 2014. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out another vote, as well as a referendum on Northern Ireland leaving the UK.
Trump made the comments about Irish unity after a meeting with Micheal Martin, the country’s prime minister. Referring to Trump’s remarks, the Irish leader said the response from some unionist politicians was “an overreaction”.
“It shouldn’t be a surprise. He takes a different sort of perspective on things,” Martin said on Sept 13 after meeting Trump again for lunch at the golf course.
Martin said they discussed Northern Ireland and its relationship with the Republic of Ireland, and that he also went through with Trump how the British-run region achieved peace.
A 1998 peace agreement ended three decades of violence between Irish nationalists seeking a united Ireland and unionists who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK.
“I support unity, I don’t see it happening now. I’ve been very clear about that,” Martin told BBC News in a separate interview.
“The chances are, if one (vote) was held next week, it would find great difficulty in getting through.” REUTERS