Trump says Ireland cheats the U.S. as its leader joins him to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

President Trump welcomes Irish Prime Minister for St. Patrick's Day, discusses trade, and jokes about Conor McGregor and socks.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin on Wednesday (March 12, 2025) for the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the White House, where he added Ireland to the list of countries he says are taking advantage of the United States.

Mr. Martin countered by noting Ireland’s contributions to the U.S.

It was Mr. Trump’s first Oval Office meeting with a foreign leader since his recent sit-down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which morphed into a shouting match as they jousted over ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The session ended with Mr. Zelenskyy being asked to leave the White House.

Mr. Martin, who offered only gentle pushback to some of Mr. Trump’s comments, returned to the White House in the evening and presented Mr. Trump with a bowl of shamrocks at an early St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The duo also attended an annual luncheon at the Capitol.

The President’s banter during the Oval Office meeting also touched on Vice President J. D. Vance’s shamrock-themed socks and Mr. Trump nemesis Rosie O’Donnell’s recent move to Ireland.

The Republican President has been sparring with U.S. allies and adversaries alike over trade, slapping double-digit tariffs on imports from countries from Canada to China and in between. During the appearance with Mr. Martin, Mr. Trump repeated his claim that the European Union was created just to stick it to the U.S.

Asked if Ireland, a member of the EU, was taking advantage, too, Mr. Trump said, “of course they are. I have great respect for Ireland and what they did and they should have done just what they did, but the United States shouldn’t have let it happen.” He was referring to the concentration of U.S. pharmaceutical companies in Ireland, due to the country’s tax policies.