Donald Trump sparks controversy in Dublin after declaring that he wants Northern Ireland to reunify with the Republic of Ireland

American President Donald Trump stated, during a visit to Ireland, that he would like Northern Ireland to unite with the Republic of Ireland. Standing alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump said he did not understand why the part of the island that remains in the United Kingdom had not already joined the Republic of Ireland and considered that reunification “will eventually happen.”

The statements represent an alarming scenario for Northern Irish unionists, who support maintaining the connection with the United Kingdom. The conflict over the region’s constitutional status caused nearly 3,700 deaths over three decades and was largely brought to an end by the Good Friday Agreement, negotiated with the support of the United States in 1998. The agreement provides that Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom as long as the majority of voters support this, and polls continue to indicate this position.