Donald Trump has said he would "love to see" a united Ireland during a press conference in Dublin, prompting fury in the UK and a response from Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The US president declared that Irish reunification was unavoidable while speaking alongside Taoiseach Micheál Martin, suggesting it "may as well happen now".
Responding to a Press Association query at the beginning of his two-day Irish visit, Mr Trump stated: "I'd love to see it unified. I think it would be a great feather in everybody's cap if that happened. It's going to happen eventually." In reply, Downing Street referenced earlier remarks from Prime Minister Andy Burnham dismissing the possibility of an immediate border poll.
Unionist Anger and Reactions
Mr Trump's statements drew fierce criticism from unionist politicians in Northern Ireland. DUP leader Gavin Robinson insisted Northern Ireland's destiny would be determined by its residents, not "commentary in London, Dublin or Washington". Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister declared: "Northern Ireland is not a pawn in Trump's fallout with the UK."
However, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described the president's observations as "timely" and said Mr Martin "must now begin planning for a united Ireland". In England, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the president of "shooting from the hip", stating: "This sort of loose talk about the future of democratic countries is deeply unhelpful and creates unnecessary tension."
Border Poll and Broader Tensions
Mrs Badenoch also demanded "clarity" from Mr Burnham in defending the union. The UK-Ireland border continues to be a contentious matter, with Mr Burnham sparking political controversy earlier this year after declaring a referendum on reunification was "off the table". According to the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the UK's Northern Ireland secretary has the authority to call a border poll, and is obliged to do so if it seems probable that a majority would support Irish unification. Citizens of the Republic of Ireland must likewise approve the change through a vote to bring about constitutional reform.
Ireland's deputy premier and Fine Gael Party leader, Simon Harris, suggested the remarks demonstrate "how much the conversation about a unified island is advancing at home and abroad" while encouraging political parties to participate in a "constructive, informed and evidence-based way". Mr Trump's statements arrive during already tense relations between London and Washington concerning matters such as the conflict in Iran, sanctions on unlawful Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the president's earlier demand to acquire Greenland. In a further indication of strained UK-US ties, Mr Trump also questioned Britain's commitment to defending the Falkland Islands should Argentina launch an invasion.
