Taoiseach Micheál Martin is set to arrive at the White House for a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Mr. Martin is scheduled to be greeted by Mr. Trump at 2:45 PM, with a bilateral meeting taking place in the Oval Office shortly after. The meeting is expected to last around an hour.
Earlier in the day, Taoiseach Martin and his wife Mary arrived at the Vice President's residence on the grounds of the US Naval Observatory. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha greeted their guests with warm smiles and handshakes. As they stood at the door, flanked by the American and Irish flags, a member of the press pool called out for another handshake. "We'd do anything for the cameras," the Vice President joked.
Inside, the guests enjoyed a quick chat in the library before moving into the breakfast room. Among the gathered guests were Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Irish Ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason. The cordial atmosphere continued with Mr. Vance expressing the importance of the bonds of friendship between the United States and Ireland. He added that the breakfast was a great opportunity for his wife Usha to wear her green trousers, which she had in her closet for years.
Mr. Vance, sporting shamrock socks, jokingly asked the Taoiseach if he would defend his sock choice later in the Oval Office if the President questioned his attire. He reminisced about a road trip to Ireland with his wife, speaking warmly about the incredible community, beautiful landscape, and interesting technological growth. The Vice President highlighted technology, particularly artificial intelligence, as a robust area for US-Ireland collaboration in the coming years.
When Taoiseach Micheál Martin took the podium, he thanked the Vice President and Second Lady for opening their home to them and the people of Ireland. He emphasized the steadfast friendship between the US and Ireland, noting that the US was the first country to recognize Ireland's independence. Mr. Martin spoke about the history of Irish immigration to the United States and how Irish Americans continue to make their mark in politics, arts, and business.
Keen to stress the economic ties between the two countries, Mr. Martin mentioned that Ireland is now in the top 10 as a source of foreign direct investment into the United States, supporting many jobs across the country. The Taoiseach will represent not just Ireland but the European Union, as the bloc announced retaliatory tariffs on €26 billion of US goods. He hopes the lighthearted tone set at the Vice President's breakfast continues throughout the day.
Mr. Martin is scheduled to be greeted by Mr. Trump at 2:45 PM, with a bilateral meeting taking place in the Oval Office shortly after. The meeting is expected to last around an hour.
Earlier in the day, Taoiseach Martin and his wife Mary arrived at the Vice President's residence on the grounds of the US Naval Observatory. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha greeted their guests with warm smiles and handshakes. As they stood at the door, flanked by the American and Irish flags, a member of the press pool called out for another handshake. "We'd do anything for the cameras," the Vice President joked.
Inside, the guests enjoyed a quick chat in the library before moving into the breakfast room. Among the gathered guests were Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Irish Ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason. The cordial atmosphere continued with Mr. Vance expressing the importance of the bonds of friendship between the United States and Ireland. He added that the breakfast was a great opportunity for his wife Usha to wear her green trousers, which she had in her closet for years.
Mr. Vance, sporting shamrock socks, jokingly asked the Taoiseach if he would defend his sock choice later in the Oval Office if the President questioned his attire. He reminisced about a road trip to Ireland with his wife, speaking warmly about the incredible community, beautiful landscape, and interesting technological growth. The Vice President highlighted technology, particularly artificial intelligence, as a robust area for US-Ireland collaboration in the coming years.
When Taoiseach Micheál Martin took the podium, he thanked the Vice President and Second Lady for opening their home to them and the people of Ireland. He emphasized the steadfast friendship between the US and Ireland, noting that the US was the first country to recognize Ireland's independence. Mr. Martin spoke about the history of Irish immigration to the United States and how Irish Americans continue to make their mark in politics, arts, and business.
Keen to stress the economic ties between the two countries, Mr. Martin mentioned that Ireland is now in the top 10 as a source of foreign direct investment into the United States, supporting many jobs across the country. The Taoiseach will represent not just Ireland but the European Union, as the bloc announced retaliatory tariffs on €26 billion of US goods. He hopes the lighthearted tone set at the Vice President's breakfast continues throughout the day.
