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Investigates Investigates Money Diaries Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sports meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories US Vice President JD Vance (third from left) joins Taoiseach Micheal Martin during a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump.Alamy Stock Photo relief all round All things considered, the Taoiseach will be happy with how he handled a tricky Trump encounter Larry Donnelly says some may criticise Micheál Martin, but what would have been the benefit of his opposing Donald Trump in this instance? 9.28pm, 12 Mar 2025 Share options A COMMONLY SHARED, instant reaction to the long-awaited Oval Office bilateral meeting of the 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, and An Taoiseach Micheál Martin was that Ireland dodged a bullet. And that is a perfectly justifiable assessment. Ireland’s citizenry had collectively viewed the annual confab, something that countries of varying sizes around the world would give nearly anything for, with a mounting sense of trepidation after the unfortunate slap-down that besieged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received from Trump and his loyal deputy, JD Vance, recently in the White House. On the other hand, there was no gun and there were no bullets – at least not on this occasion. Despite his laments at what he sees as a grossly imbalanced transatlantic trading relationship and reaffirmed his intention to “fix” it, President Trump frequently returned to talking in glowing, if characteristically meandering, terms about this island, where he owns property and evidently is positively predisposed to. A positive start That he and Vance were not on a “war footing” was apparent from the breakfast held at the US Naval Observatory. As an aside, it was an encouraging sign that the early morning, new-ish tradition was maintained. The Hillbilly Elegy author commented that we are “steadfast” friends and jokingly referred to “sock diplomacy” as he showed off his own shamrock-adorned pair. His wife Usha got to wear her green trousers. Vance’s easy, affable manner contrasted diametrically with his simultaneously aggressive and dismissive attitude toward President Zelenskyy. Advertisement Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaking at a breakfast meeting hosted by US Vice President JD Vance at his official residence in Washington DC.Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Micheál Martin warrants tremendous credit for how he comported himself and represented his country. From the off, his short remarks delivered following the vice-president’s introduction were spot on. He was careful to stress the sacred bond between Ireland and the US and all that it has meant to millions here and there. Moreover, it was shrewd to refer to the Scots and the Irish together – part of one indistinguishable Celtic family in the eyes of many Americans – because Vance identifies as Scots-Irish and Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was a native Scottish Gaelic speaker from the Outer Hebrides. Yes, all politics is local. Yet to this duo especially, all politics is personal. ‘The big showdown’ In the Oval Office, when the pressure and media glare were really on, the Taoiseach’s decades of experience in politics and foreign affairs shone through. In a similar fashion as veteran operative James Carville is recommending that his fellow Democrats let President Trump spin himself out, Martin wisely allowed his host to go on at length without interruption on the various internal and external matters raised by American journalists, even where the commander-in-chief’s utterances were hugely exaggerated or directly at odds with the popular mood at home. The Taoiseach was wise to let Trump burn himself out with grandiose utterances for the early part of the press conference in the Oval Office.Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo That said, the Taoiseach made a couple of important interventions. In the first, he cited the Irish experience of violence and the human toll thereof, and ultimately the resolution of conflict. Although his government and the Trump administration may not be on the same page – to phrase it euphemistically – when it comes to the conditions of peace and how it is arrived at in Ukraine, Gaza and elsewhere, he cleverly framed it that Ireland and the US are united in the pursuit of peace and praised the president’s efforts on this front. Trump could not disagree or take offence. And on trade, the proud Corkman politely, not unduly robustly, mentioned that investment is a two way street, pointing to the examples of Ryanair purchasing Boeing planes in bulk and to Eli Lilly in the pharma industry. As he elaborated on the latter, “there’s room for these companies to grow in America and many have announced very significant investments in the US… such as Eli Lilly. Ireland has served them well, too.” Trump responded that its CEO was a “great guy.” This good feeling might have surfaced in Martin’s preparations and thereby rendered Eli Lilly an optimal entity to bring up. Related Reads 10 things we learned from the Taoiseach's 50-minute tête-à-tête with Donald Trump Trump says Ireland taking advantage of US and has 'entire pharmaceutical industry in its grip' Laughter in the White House as Trump says the Irish housing crisis is a 'good problem to have' There was also an element of flattery with respect to how “beautiful” Doonbeg, President Trump’s golf course in Co Clare, is. “I think you’re the only US president who has actually physically invested in Ireland,” he opined. This may be attacked as overly ingratiating or obsequious language. Fair enough. It is nonetheless a vital component of doing business with this improbable and unusual president. Taoiseach’s critics And to be sure, the Taoiseach’s critics are already out in force. He did not assert that a clear majority of Irish people think that Israel is perpetrating genocide in Gaza or are aggrieved that the US seems to be cosying up to a murderous dictator like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and abandoning Ukraine in the process. Additionally, some charge that he did not do the European Union any favours by keeping quiet as Trump launched the now familiar salvos against what he deems an organisation established to “screw the US.” Their objections notwithstanding, what possible benefit could emerge from Micheál Martin refuting Donald Trump – either for Ireland or for the EU – in this setting? I fail to see it. And I can envisage the myriad, far-reaching negative consequences of a confrontation. It merits repeating: we live in the world as it is, not as we might wish it were. Obviously, we should not harbour illusions. Ireland (and Europe) is still very much exposed and potentially in the firing line, as an unrepentantly America First president reiterated on an atypical St Patrick’s Day celebration of our enduring ties. There is an arduous and unpredictable road ahead. But in sum, all things considered, today was a pretty good one. Larry Donnelly is a Boston lawyer, a Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and a political columnist with TheJournal.ie. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. 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Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Micheál Martin Oval Office relief all round st patricks US showdown White House News in 60 seconds Oval Office Trump says Ireland taking advantage of US and has 'entire pharmaceutical industry in its grip' Michael in America 10 things we learned from the Taoiseach's 50-minute tête-à-tête with Donald Trump Christina Finn Vatican says chest X-ray shows Pope Francis' condition improving Number of houses and apartments granted planning permission fell 21% last year compared to 2023 43 mins ago Shamrock ceremony next up as St Patrick's events continue in Washington 51 mins ago Burkes in Washington Enoch Burke's family protest outside White House ahead of shamrock ceremony Oval Office Watch Micheál Martin's White House meeting with Donald Trump in full Shamrock ceremony next up as St Patrick's events continue in Washington 51 mins ago Trump drops plan to double tariffs on Canadian metal imports United States Trump buys 'brand new Tesla' to show support for Elon Musk after shares plunge Oval Office Trump says Ireland taking advantage of US and has 'entire pharmaceutical industry in its grip' more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. 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