Former US President Donald Trump has voiced support for a united Ireland, stating in a new interview that the historic division "should have ended long ago" and that he would personally welcome an agreement that unites north and south.
Former US President Donald Trump has expressed his backing for the concept of a united Ireland, telling The Guardian he "would love to see it happen" and describing the end of Northern Ireland’s status within the United Kingdom as a logical and beneficial step for peace and stability across the island. His remarks mark a striking shift in tone from previous US administrations and could significantly influence the political debate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Trump noted that the Troubles and decades of division had caused immense suffering and that unification could bring closure. "Ireland is one people, one culture, and in many ways one nation," he said. "They have been divided for too long. It would be good for peace, good for business, and good for the people who want to be together." He added that he believed such a change should happen through consent, not conflict, and that the United States could play a helpful role in mediating or supporting a future agreement.
The comments come as political tensions rise within Northern Ireland’s power-sharing assembly and relations between London and Dublin remain fragile. The Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which ended decades of violence, recognised the possibility of a united Ireland if a majority in both the north and south voted in favour in separate referendums — but no such vote has been held or scheduled. Trump did not provide details on how or when such a transition should occur, but he dismissed concerns about economic or border complications, saying modern trade and technology could make borders "invisible" if handled properly.
Reaction across the political spectrum has been mixed. Sinn Féin, the leading party advocating for unification, welcomed the statement as a major endorsement from a key global figure. However, unionist leaders in Northern Ireland and some politicians in the UK have criticised the remarks as uninformed interference in UK internal affairs. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has so far avoided direct comment, saying only that the future of Northern Ireland must be decided by its people and within the framework of existing law.
Trump’s stance also carries implications for US foreign policy toward Europe and the UK. His praise for unity aligns with his often-stated preference for stronger, more cohesive nations, though he also emphasised that any settlement must respect democratic will. As the debate continues, his intervention has placed the issue of Irish unity back on the international stage, forcing leaders in London, Belfast, and Dublin to respond to a question many have long sought to delay.
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