Trump says Ireland took advantage of the US, but his bigger beef is with EU

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump accused the tax system in Ireland of attracting American pharmaceutical companies, as he obtained revenues and jobs from the United States due to the low corporate tax rate.

“Ireland was very smart. They took our pharmaceutical companies away from the presidents who did not know what they were doing, which is very bad,” said Trump sitting next to Irish Prime Minister Michel Martin.

Trump claimed that this step would never happen if he was president.

Canada announces 21 billion dollars in the new US definitions with the escalation of the trade war

President Donald Trump and Irish Tawish Michel Martin talk to journalists before meetings at the White House in the White House, March 12, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images / Getty Images)

American pharmaceutical companies began immigration to Ireland in early 2000 after US production reached its peak in 2006 before the global financial crisis.

“When pharmaceutical companies started going to Ireland, I would have said that this is good if you want to go to Ireland. I think this is great. But if you want to sell anything in the United States, I will put a 200 % tariff on you so that you are not able to sell anything to the United States,” Trump said. “You know what they would have done? They would stay here.

The European Union is discussing Trump’s tariff by targeting $ 28 billion of American goods, which are likely to be, including meat and tools

“I have great respect for Ireland and what they did. They should have only done what they had done, but the United States should not have let it happen,” he added.

In 2024, Ireland exported 72.6 billion euros of goods, which amount to a little more than $ 79 billion, to the United States, an increase of about 20 billion dollars over 2023, according to the Central Statistics Office in Ireland.

Trump confirmed his belief that Ireland was “benefiting” from the United States, but he said that his greatest meat with the European Union.

European Commission President Ursula von der Lynn indicates a closing press conference at the end of the European Union summit in Brussels on October 17, 2024. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

On Wednesday, the European Union slapped 25 % of revenge definitions on American steel and aluminum in response to the definitions imposed by Trump last week.

“The European Union treats us very badly, and they have for years,” Trump told reporters.

Trump said he intends to “respond” to the European Union’s tariff and suggested that he may take similar measures that threatened it to impose against Canada when the government of Ontario said it would pass the high prices of electricity to American clients.

Ontario’s threat, which he issued after the first round announced by Trump from the definitions by 25 %, was reversed, after Trump said he would double the American definitions on steel and aluminum imports to 50 %.

High -voltage electricity transmission towers, March 8, 2025, in Windsor, Canada. Ontario. (Bill Bogliano / Getty Emoxz / Getty Erch)

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“We have been abused for a long time, and we will not be abused,” Trump said regarding Washington’s relationship with the European Union.

“The European Union treats us very badly and they have for years,” he added. “They spend our companies and win huge amounts of money.”