58 mins ago
Trump Endorses United Ireland, Then Calls Reunification Uncertain
Donald Trump visited Ireland and was asked about whether the island should become one country.
He said he would like to see Ireland unified and called that a fantastic thing.
He also said it would probably happen eventually.
Trump noted that the United Kingdom would have a say because Northern Ireland is part of the UK.
Later, he said there was no good answer to the question.
Some people in Ireland support unity with the Republic of Ireland.
Other people, called unionists, want Northern Ireland to stay in the UK.
The issue is sensitive because it is connected to years of conflict and the peace agreement that followed.
Donald Trump said he would “love to see” Ireland unified during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Dublin.
Trump said reunification would be “a fantastic thing” and predicted it would eventually happen, while acknowledging the United Kingdom would have a say.
He later told business leaders that there was “no good answer” to the reunification question.
The 1998 Good Friday Agreement allows a unity referendum if the UK government believes a majority in Northern Ireland would support joining the Republic of Ireland.
Trump’s remarks drew attention during protests against his visit and criticism from unionist politicians who want Northern Ireland to remain in the United Kingdom.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Irish and UK politicians, nationalists, and unionists.
- What
- Trump expressed support for a united Ireland, then later described the reunification issue as having “no good answer.”
- Where
- Dublin, Ireland, with related reactions in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in Ireland.
- When
- Saturday, during Trump’s two-day visit to Ireland.
- Why
- Trump was asked for his view on Irish reunification during meetings and events connected to his visit.
Supporters of Irish Unity
Unionists and Cautious Voices
Northern Ireland’s constitutional future
Supporters of Irish Unity
Nationalists, who are described as predominantly Catholic, generally support Northern Ireland joining the Republic of Ireland.
Unionists and Cautious Voices
Unionists, who are described as largely Protestant, want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom.
Trump’s assessment of reunification
Supporters of Irish Unity
Trump said unity would be “fantastic” and that it would eventually happen, adding that it might as well happen now.
Unionists and Cautious Voices
Trump later said there was “no good answer,” while unionist politicians rejected what they described as the destruction of their country.
Referendum timing
Supporters of Irish Unity
A referendum is possible under the Good Friday Agreement if a majority in Northern Ireland appears likely to support joining the Republic of Ireland.
Unionists and Cautious Voices
The prospect of a referendum remains politically contentious, and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham was reported as saying it was “off the table” while emphasizing the Good Friday Agreement.
Key facts
- Trump’s initial position
- He said he would “love to see” Ireland unified and called reunification “a fantastic thing.”
- Later qualification
- Trump subsequently said there was “no good answer” to the reunification question.
- Current constitutional arrangement
- The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have been divided since 1921; Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom.
- Referendum rules
- Under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, a referendum may be held if the UK government determines that a majority in Northern Ireland is likely to support unity.
- Unionist response
- Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson said unionists oppose joining the Irish Republic.
- Visit protests
- At least 2,000 protesters demonstrated in Dublin against Trump’s visit, according to the report.
- Security operation
- At least 4,000 police and other personnel were mobilized for Trump’s visit.
Quotes
Catherine Connolly
President of Ireland commenting after meeting Trump
“I conveyed the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted,”
firstpost.com
“as unionists we are not interested in the destruction of our country by joining with the Irish Republic”
firstpost.com
Sources
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