Simon Harris’ visit to the White House, which commemorates the 100-year mark of Irish-American diplomatic connections, showcases Ireland’s sustained high-level engagement in Washington. This relationship, rooted in the Irish diaspora historically, has gained economic significance for both nations due to the substantial surge in American investments in Ireland in recent years.
There is a belief in global politics that a smaller nation’s influence in Washington is directly equated to its soft power. On this scale, Ireland is significantly influential.
This diplomatic bond has yielded numerous benefits. Support from the Clinton administration was instrumental to the Belfast Agreement, for instance. In the event that a unified Ireland becomes the preference of the majority in the future, a similar level of US involvement would be critical.
Regrettably, Joe Biden might be the final US president with a fondness towards Ireland. However, various high-ranking politicians in the Congress who continue to have deep-rooted interest in Ireland have contributed to promoting the planned activities for this week, despite them being truncated by the Florida hurricane.
Changes are evident. The most recent large-scale immigration from Ireland to the US was over three decades ago. The US is increasingly diversifying, and Irish America is becoming less unified and influential.
In a remarkable shift, none of the four candidates from the Democrat and Republican parties have clear ties with Ireland. While Kamala Harris does have lineage traced back to a 17th century slave owner from Co Antrim, chances are slim that the government will emphasize this as a highlight should she succeed in the November election.
A victory by Donald Trump raises new queries. His antagonism towards the EU and the global system that surfaced during the latter half of the previous century could place international relations and global economy at risk. An unpredictable twist in the Irish-American relationship that could detrimentally affect Ireland might be a result.
Trump has expressed his intent to lure American investment back to home soil, hinting at potential hardships for other nations. The tangible implications of this, however, remain vague. His confrontational attitude towards China might pose problems for Ireland, leading to uncertainties regarding its rapport with Beijing and the attraction of Chinese investment. Indeed, regardless of who emerges victorious in the November elections, Dublin is likely to face this dilemma. The ceremonial exchange of the shamrock may persist every March, but sustaining Ireland’s actual clout necessitates effort. The customary ritual might not retain its effectiveness in the times to come.