Trump backs Irish unification as UK rules out referendum without majority support
The US president said he would welcome the eventual unification of Ireland, while the British government said another referendum would require majority public support.
US President Donald Trump has said he would “love” to see the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland unite, describing unification as a “fantastic” eventual outcome during a visit to Dublin.
Trump made the remarks after meeting Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin. He said the United Kingdom would have a say in any constitutional change, while expressing his view that unification would eventually occur.
The British government responded that there was no majority public support for another referendum. It said a further vote would not be held until that position changed. No referendum has been called.
Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom, while the Republic of Ireland is a member of the European Union. The constitutional question remains sensitive after decades of sectarian violence over Northern Ireland’s status.
The comments were reported by Deutsche Welle during a visit that also included Trump’s attendance at the Irish Open golf tournament at a course he owns. His remarks mark a more direct intervention by a US president on an issue previous administrations had treated cautiously.
