Donald Trump has accused Ireland of stealing the US pharmaceutical industry and the tax revenue that should have been paid to the US treasury, in a blow to the Irish premier, Micheál Martin, who had hoped to emerge unscathed from a visit to the White House marking St Patrick’s Day.
The US president showed grudging respect for Martin, alternately ribbing and complimenting him, while also launching several broadsides against the EU.
He repeatedly took aim at Ireland’s historical low-tax policies, which helped lure US multinationals including Pfizer, Boston Scientific and Eli Lilly to its shores.
Big pharma now drives Ireland’s €72bn (£60bn) worth of annual exports to the US, with taxes paid in Ireland on drugs consumed in the US.
Why would Trump give Ireland any kind of pass? He clearly prefers Scottish food like from that chain MacDonalds.
He only eats that because it has his name in it.
Should have brought some Supermacs. They’d have been friends for life.