Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, marking a diplomatic encounter devoid of the tensions seen during other recent visits. While both leaders expressed mutual respect, Trump’s rhetoric hinted at an impending trade war with the European Union. Despite this, Martin emphasized Ireland’s strong business ties with the U.S., advocating for cooperative trade. The Taoiseach’s comments about housing and his subdued response to Trump’s criticisms of the EU stirred potential political backlash in Ireland, yet he managed to navigate the complexities of U.S.-Irish relations with relative success.