Trump touts 'merger' between Ireland and Northern Ireland in latest bizarre snipe at Starmer
Donald Trump last night touted a 'merger' between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as he threatened a further rift in UK-US relations.The US President, who is continuing a public spat with Keir Starmer over the Iran crisis, made reference to possible Irish re-unification at a St Patrick's Day event in Washington DC.Speaking at the Friends of Ireland Luncheon, Mr Trump noted how Nothern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin 'get along so well'.'That's the way it's supposed to be,' the US President said, as he welcomed the DUP's Ms Little-Pengelly and Mr Martin to the US Capitol event.'I don't know if I should be promoting a merger. I love mergers. We're going to get into a little trouble.'Mr Trump's comments threaten to increase transatlantic tensions in the wake of his repeated attacks on the Prime Minister.He has branded Sir Keir 'no Winston Churchill' and accused him of making a 'big mistake' in failing to be 'supportive' of America's military action against Iran.The PM angered the US President by initially refusing to allow America to use British air bases to launch its assault on Tehran. Donald Trump touted a 'merger' between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as he threatened a further rift in UK-US relations Speaking at the Friends of Ireland Luncheon, Mr Trump noted how Nothern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly(pictured) and Irish PM Micheal Martin 'get along so well' Mr Martin was in attendance at the US Capitol luncheon on Tuesday after ealier meeting with Mr Trump in the White HouseSir Keir has since resisted Mr Trump's plea for help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively shut with missile and drone strikes.Around a fifth of global oil supplies typically pass through the vital sea channel, with energy prices having now rocketed across the world.Ms Little-Pengelly attended St Patrick's Day celebrations in Washington DC this week but Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill boycotted the events in the US over Mr Trump's policies on Gaza.Mr Martin was also in attendance at the US Capitol luncheon on Tuesday after ealier meeting with Mr Trump in the White House.As he and the Irish PM appeared in front of the media in the Oval Office, Mr Trump doubled down on his criticisms of NATO and accused Sir Keir of making a 'big mistake' on Iran.Mr Martin defended Sir Keir by telling Mr Trump he 'had the capacity' to engage with the British leader and other European leaders.He said the relationship between Europe and the US is 'very, very important', and previous issues between the EU and the US last year, where the threat of a tariff war loomed for months, had been resolved.'I think we can get landing zone again,' Mr Martin said. 'Keir Starmer has done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship, I just want to put that on the record.'But I do believe that he's a very earnest, sound person (which) you have a capacity to get on with, you've got on with him before.'You've got on with other European leaders as well and I think you have that capacity again.'
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Trump touts 'merger' between Ireland and Northern Ireland in latest bizarre snipe at Starmer
