Donald Trump set for Shannon Airport stopover on way back to US 

As Donald Trump is not leaving the plane, he will not be greeted by any member of the Government. Picture: Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP

US president Donald Trump will stop in Shannon Airport on Thursday as he returns from the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.

Mr Trump, who on Wednesday stepped back on his threat to slap tariffs on European allies who opposed his ambitions to annex Greenland, will be in Ireland for a short time this afternoon as plane refuels.

Government sources say Mr Trump is not expected to leave the plane, which is a replacement aircraft.

Mr Trump's journey to Switzerland had been interrupted on Wednesday as his flight was forced to turn back over a "minor electrical issue". 

The incident meant that the replacement Boeing 747 was pressed into action, but this plane has a smaller fuel capacity and will need to refuel in Shannon.

As Mr Trump is not leaving the plane, he will not be greeted by any member of the Government.

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Trump claimed the world is “richer, safer and much more peaceful than it was just one year ago” as he hosted a launch event for his “board of peace” initiative at the forum.

It comes as Tánaiste Simon Harris said he cannot see “any scenario” where Ireland would join Mr Trump’s "so-called board of peace”.