The Associated Press declared Donald J. Trump the 47th President of the United States in the morning of November 6th after he secured the necessary 270 electoral votes by winning the state of Wisconsin. The election culminates an aggressive, racist and misogynistic campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the first woman, the first Black American and the first South Asian American to hold this office and secure a presidential candidacy in the United States.
The American businessman first took presidential office in 2016 and will return after 34 felony counts, a conviction and two impeachments. Key issues that drove his campaign include immigration control, tax cuts and protecting gun rights, while Harris’ campaign was driven by restoring the federal right to abortion, expanding healthcare access and advancing racial and economic equity.
Despite pre-election polls showing a tight race, Trump currently holds over 72 million votes, while Harris has just over 68 million. Both numbers may continue to increase as final tallies come in from two remaining states, though these will not alter the overall outcome.
How may this affect Ireland and the concerns of Irish people?
Experts warn that Trump’s proposed 10-20% tariffs poses a significant risk to the Irish and European economies. Around 1,000 U.S. companies contribute substantially to Ireland’s GDP, and higher tariffs could reduce American foreign direct investment in Ireland, potentially putting jobs at risk, according to Euro News. Additionally, his proposal to lower the U.S. corporate tax rate could weaken Ireland’s competitive edge in attracting American multinationals
A Trump presidency may also impact European national security and global conflict, the Irish Times reported. He previously suggested that he would back a land-for-peace deal in Ukraine that reduces U.S. military aid, potentially pressuring the EU —especially eastern member states with histories of Russian influence—to increase their own defense efforts.
This shift could complicate Ireland’s stance on neutrality, as growing European Union (EU) security commitments may prompt Ireland to reassess its traditional non-involvement in defense matters. Since World War II, Ireland has upheld a policy of military neutrality, choosing not to join NATO or engage in formal military alliances. However, as the EU increasingly emphasizes collective security, Ireland faces occasional pressure to align more closely with EU defense policies.
Trump’s close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also expected to delay a cease-fire in Gaza. Though Trump promised to bring peace to the Middle East, his unwavering support for Israel makes it clear his proposed solution may heavily favor Israel interests over Palestinian ones.
As president from 2016-2020, Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and proposed a peace plan viewed as favoring Israel, which hindered Palestinian statehood. More recently, Trump told Netanyahu in a recent call to “do what you have to do”. He also suggested Biden should let Israel “finish the job” in a June debate.
“Dear Donald and Melania Trump, Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America” Netanyahu wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
As a key–figure of American extremism, Trump’s win may also come with consequences for the Irish political landscape. Immigration has become a key issue in Irish politics, with the Irish Times reporting there were 307 protests related to immigration and accommodation centres throughout the State in 2022 and a similar number in 2023. Xenophobic rhetoric was a significant part of Trump’s campaign, and part of his agenda includes the largest deportation of immigrants in American history.
Research carried out by Sky News in 2023 found that American accounts are a major driving force behind anti-immigration sentiment on Irish social media. The Sky News research also found that 54.4% of anti-immigration tweets with the hashtag #IrelandIsFull came from the United States, while 57% of tweets that used the hashtag #IrelandBelongsToTheIrish were from American Twitter accounts.
Trump and other American extremists are expected to continue to influence Ireland’s small far-right scene, which has been growing since the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2015 and the expansion of access to abortion, according to the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.
Ireland and the U.S. share close economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties, and many Irish politicians find it favourable to maintain a peaceful relationship throughout Trump’s presidency, with Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin congratulating him on X.
“This year marks 100 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United States. Ireland’s relationship with the United States draws its strength from our deep, historical people-to-people connections, the support of the US to peace on this island, as well as our significant, and mutually beneficial, economic relationship” Martin wrote in a press release.
