Donald Trump’s second presidential term has been a turbulent one internationally. He has toppled the Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro, and acquired control over that country’s oil resources; subjected friend and foe alike to punishing tariffs; and launched what now looks like a forever war against Iran. He also had a seismic public row with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy, threatened to seize Greenland from Denmark and is currently involved in an angry spat with Canada.

In comparison to those ructions, Ireland has done quite well. Our economic model was targeted early on by commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and there has been some negative commentary in the United States’ right-leaning media, but hardly a peep from the president. US investment in Ireland continues to flourish and our exports actually surged last year in anticipation of the impact of tariffs. Our many policy differences with the Trump administration have not led to any serious breach between us. The passage of legislation banning trade with the Occupied Territories has not elicited any sharp reaction from Washington. There was understandable apprehension around the Taoiseach’s 2025 St Patrick’s Day visit, but JD Vance’s green socks set a clubbable tone for the day.

Next week’s visit will be the 13th overseas trip of the current Trump term. Most were made to fulfil international engagements – the Pope’s funeral, Nato and G7 summits. Ireland will be among a small handful of countries to receive a bilateral visit.

During those visits, different coping strategies have been deployed for managing the president. Nato’s Mark Rutte called him “Daddy”. Qatar gifted him a jumbo jet. Chancellor Merz presented him with his German-born grandfather’s birth........

© The Irish Times