Trump touts Ireland trade on St. Patrick's Day, says Iran could take years to rebuild after strikes

Record ID: 2366625

  • Title: Trump touts Ireland trade on St. Patrick's Day, says Iran could take years to rebuild after strikes
  • Date: 17th March 2026
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MARCH 17, 2026) (UNRESTRICTED POOL) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, APPROACHING LECTERN (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING: “And to every friend of Ireland in this room today, I just want to wish you a very happy St Patrick's Day. Special day is a great day.” WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRU
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Donald Trump Ireland Micheal Martin Mike Johnson Taoiseach politics
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,North America,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001491017032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: U.S. President Donald Trump used remarks at a St. Patrick's Day luncheon on Tuesday (March 17) to highlight economic ties with Ireland while also touting U.S. military action against Iran.
    Speaking at the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon hosted by House Speaker Mike Johnson at the U.S. Capitol, Trump wished attendees a happy St. Patrick’s Day and pointed to what he described as growing Irish investment in the United States, saying companies from Ireland were pouring billions of dollars into American states.
    He also urged Ireland to increase purchases of U.S. energy exports, particularly liquefied natural gas, arguing such deals would help reduce trade imbalances.
    Trump said U.S. operations against Iran were “proceeding very, very strongly” and claimed the country had been close to developing a nuclear weapon. He said military action had caused significant damage, adding that it could take Iran years, possibly up to a decade, to rebuild.
    “We have to put out this cancer,” Trump said, describing the campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
    Johnson, in his remarks, praised the historical influence of Irish immigrants in the United States, saying their legacy is deeply woven into the country’s founding and development.
    Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin thanked U.S. leaders for their continued friendship, invoking an Irish proverb about the closeness of true allies.
    (Production: Greg Savoy, Jose Pablo Diaz)
  • Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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