Donald Trump's win branded 'devastating' by Irish politicians - 'the consequences worldwide will be appalling'

Donald Trump’s victory in the US Presidential election has been called “devastating” and “hugely concerning” by Irish political leaders.

While Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin congratulated President-elect Trump on his success, leaders of opposition parties expressed concern about the impact that his presidency will have on Ireland and our economy, as well as on ongoing wars across the globe.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One News, the Taoiseach said that Mr Trump had a “decisive victory”. “This country has shown an ability to work with US Presidential administrations of all different political backgrounds,” he said.

“We worked with the last Trump administration as well. Yes, there are issues that President Trump has highlighted during his campaign. It'll be interesting now to see how he decides to develop those policies. We have always prepared in this country, or certainly this government has prepared, for any external shocks to our economy.

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“We should say this, and I say this respectfully to President-elect Trump, the relationship between the United States and Ireland is now a two-way trading relationship with so many jobs created in every State right across the United States by Irish companies as well. I think that's the way we would approach this relationship with the newly elected president. “He's a businessman. He understands that Irish companies also contribute a huge amount in terms of jobs and investment to the United States.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin, meanwhile, attempted to downplay concerns about Mr Trump’s impending presidency, noting he was “not the first President-elect who has said they will endeavour to bring back American companies to the US”.

The opposition, however, was not as congratulatory of Mr Trump on his victory. Labour leader Ivana Bacik implored the Taoiseach to provide the other political leaders in the Dáil with any briefings he has gotten about the impact of a Trump administration on Ireland.

She said: “It is devastating. The US has spoken, but the consequences worldwide will be appalling. We look at the impact that we know is going to be happening on climate. We're going to see irreversible damage done if Trump sticks to the policies he’s outlined.

“I think any of us who know people in Ukraine will be absolutely fearful for their future, and indeed for the future of Europe. We know that Putin’s ambition does not stop at Ukraine. We know that Trump has made very clear his views on NATO, his views on Putin and I think across Central and Eastern Europe there is huge fear and concern about the implications of Trump's win.

“We know in Gaza the implications. We know for women's rights there will be implications. We’ve seen already the rollback of abortion rights across the US, hard fought, hard won rights that are now under increased threat and increasing threat in different States. We know also the threats to migrant rights, with Trump’s threat to build walls, to close the borders. We know the threats to the European economy, and particularly to the Irish economy.”

Social Democrats’ leader Holly Cairns, meanwhile, stated that “Trump’s victory is hugely concerning” for America and the rest of the world.

She said: “Trump’s agenda is clear. It’s tax cuts for billionaires; rolling back climate action; and attacking people’s civil rights. I’m especially concerned for the rights of women, people of colour and LGBTQ+ people under a Trump administration. Trump’s foreign policy agenda will also be a disaster. He is an even bigger cheerleader of the genocide in Gaza than Biden. He will also cosy up to Putin and pull support from Ukraine.

“When it comes to this country, there are concerns that a Trump presidency will be damaging for our economy. But similar concerns were expressed during his last tenure in office – and those concerns proved unfounded.”

Sinn Féin did not issue a statement.

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