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The United States (US) President Donald Trump has criticised Ukraine over attacks on Russian oil refineries on Sunday, pledged to end tariffs on Irish whiskey, and downplayed Artificial Intelligence (AI) threats during his two-day visit to Ireland, where diplomacy has again mixed with personal business interests.
Trump ended his stay on Sunday by presenting the Irish Open golf trophy to winner Shane Lowry at his Doonbeg golf resort.
He criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging him to stop targeting Russian oil refineries, which he said were worsening diesel shortages.
“Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel, because he’s causing a shortage of diesel,” Trump said.
Trump blamed the Russia-Ukraine war for rising fuel pressures, rather than the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Oil prices have risen sharply as fighting in the Middle East has intensified, increasing US fuel costs and inflation pressures.
Trump also said he would remove tariffs on Irish whiskey after appeals from Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and Lowry.
Whiskey exports to the US have suffered since Trump imposed tariffs of up to 15 percent on European Union products.
The president also weighed in on concerns over artificial intelligence, saying “negative” forces were opposing its development.
Trump’s visit has also drawn controversy over his comments on Irish reunification and his decision to spend part of the trip at his own resort.
On Saturday, Trump said he would “love to see” a united Ireland, breaking with Washington’s traditional neutrality on the issue.
He later said reunification between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland was “going to happen eventually”.
“It may as well happen now,” Trump said, arguing that bringing the two sides together was “one of the naturals of all time”.
His remarks have prompted criticism from British loyalists in Northern Ireland and some UK politicians.
Around 30 people protested Trump’s visit to Doonbeg on Sunday.
“Donald Trump is not welcome in Ireland,” protester William Hederman, 53, told AFP, accusing Trump of helping Israel commit genocide in Gaza.
Trump’s presence at the golf resort he has owned since 2014 has also raised questions over potential conflicts of interest.
The security operation for his visit was reportedly expected to cost Ireland €20 million ($23 million), with about 4,000 Irish and US security personnel deployed.
The operation included police checkpoints, road closures and anti-drone technology.
The Doonbeg golf course has also been targeted twice by pro-Palestinian activists over the past 18 months.
Three women arrested at the resort appeared in a western Irish court on Saturday over separate trespass and public order offences.
Trump was joined at the resort by his sons, Eric and Don Jr., who have managed the family business since he returned to the White House last year.
The president has faced long-standing criticism from Democrats over the overlap between his political office and private business interests.
The White House has rejected allegations that Trump has used the presidency to enrich himself, even as his personal wealth has increased during his second term.
Former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter said Trump represents an unusual case of a sitting president with significant financial interests in a private business.
Painter warned that Trump’s conduct could create the impression that people can gain favour with the president by doing business with his companies.
