Take our survey • Win a prize Advertisement We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. 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 Martin spoke to US Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark in Washington DC this afternoon.Alamy Stock Photo DC Conference World leaders can be labelled as far-right 'very quickly', Taoiseach tells US business leaders Speaking at the US Chamber of Commerce, Martin claimed that many who lean politically right “got alienated by being labeled too quickly” 10.02pm, 13 Mar 2025 Share options TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has claimed that world leaders can get labelled as right-wing or far-right “very quickly”, and warned that people should not “buy into the label” or the stereotyping of people. Martin made the remarks while during a ‘fireside chat’ hosted by US Chamber of Commerce president Suzanne Clark in Washington DC, where he once again boasted about the strong economic ties between the US and Ireland. Characterizing the relationship as a “shared value system and genuine belief in the importance of the entrepreneurial spirit”, Martin said the Irish-US trade relationship is “increasingly a two-way street”. “We have up to 900 U.S. companies in Ireland. U.S. companies contribute 200,000 jobs, and we’ve got about 770 Irish companies in the States creating over 150,000 jobs,” Martin told the gathering of business leaders. Many of the Taoiseach’s remarks echoed the comments he made during his meeting with Trump in the Oval Office yesterday, where he also highlighted that foreign investment is “a two-way street” between the US and Ireland. Martin pictured speaking to US Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark Asked how the US business community can adapt to the changing politics in the EU, Martin told the Chamber of Commerce that “one has to be careful of overreacting”. “People get labeled very quickly – leaders get labeled as being far right or too right. I always take people as I meet them and engage with them,” Martin said. Singling out Belgium, where right-leaning parties dominated in elections last June, Martin claimed that a number of EU nations are “looking at shift in terms of greater disposition towards less regulation and more innovation”. He said that a lot of people on the right “got alienated by being labeled too quickly”, adding that there wasn’t “space created to allow people to articulate their position or their views on something” without the fear of getting shut down. “Social media has created that idea of the polarizing sound, so you’re either at one camp or you’re in another. Advertisement “That’s the bit that’s missing at the moment in public discourse – the continuum of nuance, the complexity, things are not simple. There’s always much more gray in life, in my view, and that’s missing the public debate at the moment,” Martin said. ‘Penny has dropped’ Martin was vocally critical of EU overregulation during the discussion, where he said that the “winds of change” were blowing towards innovation and “reduction of regulation”. “There’s a move within the European Union now to simplify regulation. I think the penny has dropped. The message has got home.” Martin said that Ireland was committed to working with the D9+ group of countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia and the Czech Republic) to advocate for the simplification of regulations in the EU. “It’s not been satisfactory. We in Ireland understand that, because a lot of the companies are located in Ireland.” He said that there was “growing recognition” across Europe for the need for a reduction in regulations, but added: “That has to be matched by action and real concrete development.” Ireland will ‘play a role’ in EU defence The Taoiseach also told the commerce conference that it is undeniable that European defence spending will increase. He said it is “very clear” that Ireland will “have to play its role” in European security, while taking its traditional military neutrality into account. “I can predict that the next multi-financial framework, which is the European Union budget, will involve a significant increase in European Union spending on defence capability, which will be focused on increasing opportunities and capacities from member states to increase their expenditure.” Martin explained that Ireland will become a “net contributor” to defence capability across Europe through a collective debt instrument. He added: “But Ireland in itself will have to increase, and we are doubling our defence – coming from a very low base – defence expenditure. “But again, we have to do it in a targeted way. Cyber security, sub-sea cables, maritime security – those are probably the most immediate vulnerabilities.” Additional reporting by PA and Jane Matthews in Washington DC 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. Support The Journal Andrew Walsh View 27 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “World leaders can be labelled as far-right 'very quickly', Taoiseach tells US business leaders”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “World leaders can be labelled as far-right 'very quickly', Taoiseach tells US business leaders”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Newly created accounts can only comment using The Journal app. This is to add an extra layer of security to account creation. Download and sign into the app to continue. 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 Chamber of Commerce DC Conference Micheál Martin News in 60 seconds marching on Fernandes hat-trick fires Man United into Europa League quarter-finals 34 mins ago you tell us Have your say on The Journal's next steps Luis Montenegro Portugal calls third election in three years following prime minister's resignation 'A childish, criminal act': Gardaí investigating vandalism at Trump's golf course in Doonbeg Investigation Hospital staff could face gross negligence manslaughter charges in Lucy Letby probe, police say Here's What Happened Today: Thursday Green gúnas galore Ireland Funds: The $1,000 a plate dinner that's jinxed more than one Irish Taoiseach in the past As it happened The Taoiseach invited Trump and Vance to visit as Washington celebrated Ireland Last Orders Donald Trump threatens 200% tariffs on alcohol from EU countries Martin's big outing was all laughs and smiles - but Irish public may not have found it as funny Jane Matthews reports from Washington white house visit 'Trump ranted as Martin sat awkwardly next to him': What the world is saying about the US visit 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. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online