During a recent meeting at the White House with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, US President Donald Trump made striking remarks accusing Ireland of ‘stealing’ US companies.
Trump criticized Ireland’s tax policies, which have attracted major American pharmaceutical firms, claiming the country benefits from the revenue that should belong to the US.
These comments, reported by The Guardian, raised eyebrows and highlighted ongoing tensions between the two nations. While his statements have caused a stir, they also sparked discussions on the broader implications of US-EU trade relations.
Trump’s Accusations Against Ireland
President Trump’s comments focused on Ireland’s tax regime, which has attracted numerous US multinational corporations, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. He highlighted how companies like Pfizer, Boston Scientific, and Eli Lilly are now part of the Irish landscape, contributing significantly to Ireland’s €72 billion annual exports to the US. Trump went as far as saying:
“The Irish are smart, yes, smart people,” Trump said. “You took our pharmaceutical companies and other companies … This beautiful island of 5 million people has got the entire US pharmaceutical industry in its grasps.”
He also remarked on how Ireland’s tax policies have enabled the country to gain a significant share of the US pharmaceutical industry. Trump added,
“We do have a massive deficit with Ireland because Ireland was very smart. They took our pharmaceutical companies away from presidents that didn’t know what they were doing and it’s too bad that happened.”
The Political Fallout: EU Relations and Tariffs
In his discussion with Martin, Trump also targeted the European Union, specifically its tax-related disputes with major US companies. Trump suggested that the EU was set up to take advantage of the US, pointing to the Apple tax ruling in Ireland as an example.
He said, “Apple has been treated very badly … That is unfair,” referring to the ruling that forced Apple to pay €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland. Further expressing his frustration, Trump added:
“I’m not blaming you. I’m blaming the European Union. The European Union’s gone after our companies.”
The ongoing tensions between the US and the EU were further highlighted as Trump mentioned tariffs, particularly the 25% steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by Washington, and hinted at the EU’s response, which included countermeasures on US goods. A senior EU official was quoted saying:
It is not very productive to now start negotiating about removing the tariffs. You put a stinking fish on the table, and then you start negotiating to remove that stinking fish, and then you say: ‘Wow, we have a great result: there’s no stinking fish on the table.’ That is not a very productive conversation.
Trump, on the other hand, voiced his discontent with the EU, remarking that the Union doesn’t take US farm products or cars. He elaborated:
“We have a problem with the European Union. They don’t take our farm products. They don’t take our cars. We take millions of cars, BMWs and Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagens and everything. We take millions of cars.”
Trump also shared a conversation he had with Angela Merkel during his tenure, stating:
“I said to Angela Merkel at the time, I said: ‘Angela, how many Chevrolets do we have in the middle of Munich?’ [She replied:] ‘Why, none’ … No, I’m not happy with the European Union.”
Ireland’s Position and the Broader Trade Context
Ireland, for its part, has long defended its tax policies, which it sees as crucial for attracting foreign investment, including the establishment of EU headquarters for companies like Intel, Microsoft, and Google.
During the White House meeting, Prime Minister Martin reiterated Ireland’s commitment to fair taxation while acknowledging the complexities of its role within the EU’s broader economic structure.
Martin also pointed out the significant contributions Irish companies make to the US economy, such as through their purchase of American-made Boeing planes.
Trump’s comments underscored the tensions that continue to simmer between the US and the EU over trade practices, and they serve as a reminder of the delicate balance that countries must maintain in global economic relations.
Trump concluded his remarks by reflecting on past US decisions :
“I’d like to see the United States not have been so stupid for so many years, not just with Ireland, with everybody,” he said.
