EU needs to be ‘firm’ with Trump administration, says Martin
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The European Union needs to be “firm” with the US, Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin has said. It comes after American President-elect Donald Trump suggested the US could annex the Panama Canal and Greenland, which he claimed were at risk from the influence of Russia and China.
The comments have been met with widespread condemnation, including France’s foreign minister who suggested Mr Trump was attempting to interference with the sovereignty of an EU member state, Denmark, of which Greenland is an autonomous territory. Mr Trump’s election victory has brought heightened concern around what his proposals for corporation tax and tariffs could mean for Ireland.
Asked if he was concerned about the rhetoric from the incoming Trump administration, Mr Martin said he was more focused on seeing the substance of policy initiatives and any “departures” in the US approach. The Tanaiste said: “We’ve been here before, in some respects. Not just in terms of President Trump, previous American presidents have had protectionist approaches – even President Biden.”.
He added: “Europe had to navigate that and Ireland as a member of the European Union will navigate these new challenges with the European Union. “We have to be skilful, we have to hold our nerve, and we have to be firm but clear in terms of the new challenges that will undoubtedly arise.”.
