It comes amid frictions between European leaders and Mr Trump after he said he expected Europe’s co-operation on a bombing campaign launched with Israel against Iran. Mr Martin presented Mr Trump with the shamrock as he called for as “few barriers and tariffs” around trade “as possible”, and said Ireland’s own history should show negotiation, de-escalation and “international rules and order” were essential to peace and security around the world. An earlier 40-minute meeting in the Oval Office involved Mr Trump responding to Irish president Catherine Connolly’s criticism of US-Israeli attacks on Iran by saying the world “should be thankful” for the intervention. Mr Martin defended Sir Keir by telling Mr Trump he “had the capacity” to engage with the British leader and other European leaders. “I think we can get landing zone again,” Mr Martin said.

Source: The Herald March 18, 2026 11:58 UTC