Irish golfers might be Trump card in drive to tackle threatened tariffs

While star golfers such as Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy have not yet been approached, the Irish Government has ruled nothing out in its effort to woo Donald Trump. Picture: iStock

The Government could seek to recruit Ireland’s top professional golfers in a bid to find common ground with US president Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose tariffs on the EU.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin travels to Brussels today where EU leaders will meet as the potential of a trade war and knock-on inflation crisis looms, which would significantly impact on Ireland.

Tánaiste Simon Harris will also bring a detailed memo to Cabinet this week to establish a high-level group to focus on the trade challenges facing Ireland, but he has insisted “we can do business with President Trump” to ensure the “long economic, political, diplomatic and cultural relationship with the United Stated continues”.

While star sportsmen such as Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy have not yet been approached as a way to appeal to Mr Trump who is a keen golfer, senior sources have suggested that nothing is being ruled out.

When asked about the potential of asking the golfers to help stress the importance of trade between both countries, one Government source pointed to the fact that Mr Lowry now lives in Florida and stressed that Mr Trump’s sons have visited their father’s hotel and golf course in Doonbeg, Co Clare numerous times.

As part of a charm offensive, nine Cabinet ministers will travel to America as part of St Patrick’s events. The Tánaiste and Attorney General will be among the beefed-up contingent travelling.

The Taoiseach’s itinerary is likely to take in a Trump-leaning ‘red state’, as well as the traditional meetings in Washington, to appeal to the Trump base.

After announcing levies on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, Mr Trump said he will “absolutely” slap tariffs on goods from EU countries, claiming that “the European Union has treated us so terribly”.

China and Mexico have retaliated to the orders with their own measures, while Canada is also imposing 25% tariffs on more than $155bn worth of US products, including alcohol and fruit.

Officials across multiple departments here are now working at mapping out the impact tariffs would have on business, but the pharmaceutical sector, which accounted for €41.1bn of exports to the US in the first 11 months of last year, is of most concern.

However, Government sources have said Ireland and other EU countries are keen not to “irk” Mr Trump and leaders are set to focus on defence and security rather than trade, when they meet in Brussels today.

Mr Harris is to bring plans to establish a Trade Consultative Forum and set up a US-based Strategic Economic Advisory Panel to Cabinet on Wednesday.

“We have taken careful note of President Trump’s decision in respect of tariffs in recent days,” Mr Harris said.

"Our view remains that increased protectionism is not in the interests of businesses or the global economic environment, and would not benefit the EU, Ireland, or the US.

“Europe must and will work collectively and with the United States to avoid such a situation emerging and if necessary to mitigate any measures taken."