Trump welcomes Irish embassy relocation with pledge to 'strengthen time-honoured relationship'

Ireland is now the fifth largest source of foreign direct investment in America and Irish companies have created more than 200,000 American jobs, Tánaiste Simon Harris said

The relocation will see the Irish embassy move to Pennsylvania Avenue, a stone’s throw away from the White House.

US president Donald Trump has said that the US and Ireland will “work closely” to “strengthen our time-honoured relationship” by “advancing fair trade policies and investment opportunities”.

He made the comments in a letter sent to the Government to mark the opening of the new Irish embassy in Washington.

The relocation will see the embassy move to Pennsylvania Avenue, a stone’s throw away from the White House.

“I send my best wishes to all those gathered at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate the official opening of the new embassy of Ireland!” Mr Trump wrote.

“The United States and Ireland have enjoyed a long and storied friendship sustained by mutual economic interests, a common cultural heritage, a shared commitment to national sovereignty, and the timeless values of faith, family, and freedom.

“As you celebrate the grand opening of Ireland's new embassy location, I look forward to continuing to work closely with your country to strengthen our time-honoured relationship — especially by advancing fair trade policies and investment opportunities that benefit both of our nations’ citizens.

“Congratulations once again on the relocation, and welcome to the neighborhood!

“May God bless you, may He bless the Republic of Ireland, and may He bless the United States of America," the letter read.

'Kind words'

Speaking in Washington DC, Tánaiste Simon Harris thanked Mr Trump "for his kind words as we begin to write the next chapter in the great story of Ireland-US relations”.

“These offices on 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, next to the White House, represent the culmination of a nearly four-year project to realise a significant commitment of the global Ireland strategy and national development plan.

“This will be an excellent base from which to grow our vital political, economic, and cultural ties with the US over the years ahead.

“President Trump is right to draw attention to not just the depth and breadth of our trade and investment ties, but also the potential for these to become yet stronger over the years ahead in the interests of people throughout the United States and Ireland.

“I am launching an economic impact report which maps Ireland’s economic footprint right across the US and shows the remarkable impact of our partnership in terms of trade, employment, research, tourism, and investment."

Ireland is now the fifth largest source of foreign direct investment in America and Irish companies have created more than 200,000 American jobs, Mr Harris said.

“This is a superb foundation to build upon over the years ahead, and I am looking forward to publishing a new strategy early in 2026 which will chart that way forward," Mr Harris said.

Mr Harris travelled to Washington DC from New York, where he was attending the UN General Assembly, to undertake a series of bilateral engagements, including with the US secretary of commerce Howard Lutnick.

Mr Lutnick, a close ally of Mr Trump, previously called Ireland his “favourite tax scam”.

Mr Harris and Mr Lutnick previously met in Washington DC in April, several months before negotiations between the EU and US saw 15% tariffs introduced on EU goods entering the US.