Cowen will not ‘complain’ about US policies
Mr Cowen said he wanted to “listen” to, and form a relationship with, Mr Obama rather than lecture him about Ireland’s needs.
Among other issues, the pair are expected to discuss the economy, the US-Irish relationship, the recent violence in the North, and the possibility of Ireland accepting detainees from Guantanamo Bay.
On the economic front, President Obama plans to end tax benefits for US companies that move jobs abroad. That could affect US companies operating in Ireland and threaten the jobs of their Irish employees.
But asked if he would raise the issue, Mr Cowen responded: “I’m not there to in any way complain to the President of the United States — not at all.
“I’m there to listen to the new leader of this country, who is providing a lot of hope for the wider world, not only in economic terms but in other areas of politics as well. And I’m there to get an insight from him.”
Mr Cowen said both men would give their view as to where the economy is and what each other’s strategies were.
“[President Obama has] been saying [that] of course America has to be out there in the world investing, but he also wants to make sure clearly that there are investments at home, and I don’t see those as mutually exclusive propositions,” Mr Cowen said.
“It’s a question of sitting down and talking about these issues and having a conversation. I don’t put a set of issues before me in terms of what I will tell the president of the US.
“I want to get into a relationship with Barack Obama, as a friend of the US.”
The two men will meet in the White House at about 11am US time (3pm Irish) for their discussion, followed by the traditional exchange of a bowl of shamrock.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, will then a hold a luncheon on Capitol Hill in honour of Mr Cowen.
The Taoiseach and invited guests will return to the White House later tonight for a reception hosted by the President and First Lady, Michelle Obama.
Asked if he would invite Mr Obama to Ireland, Mr Cowen said: “I’m sure that’s an issue that we can raise.”
Mr Cowen conducted a number of engagements in New York to promote Irish business yesterday before flying to Washington.
Of the 98 companies on Government-led trade missions to the US this week, 23 will sign new business contracts worth $130m (€100m). Those contracts have the potential to grow to $500m over the next few years, Mr Cowen said.
Meanwhile, Mr Cowen dismissed as “pretty facile” the suggestion that the Government decision to increase VAT last October had caused a large part of Ireland’s economic crisis.
Asked if the decision would not be revisited in the forthcoming budget, he replied: “We’ll see the whole thing then, and have a great discussion about it.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
