Ireland's prime minister Micheál Martin and Donald Trump at Farmleigh House in Dublin. Donald Trump has triggered a fresh trans-Atlantic row by declaring he would “love” to see a united Ireland. The US president was slapped down by Downing Street after he said “it would be a great thing” if Northern Ireland was no longer part of the United Kingdom. His shock comments came as he sat next to Irish Taoiseach Michael Martin during a visit to Dublin. Asked for his views on Irish unity, Trump said: “I’d love to see it unified. I have friends on both sides. I’d love to see it unified. I think it would be a great feather in everybody’s cap if that happened. It’s going to happen eventually. “The way I look at it, it’s going to happen eventually [so] it might as well happen now. “I think it would be a fantastic thing. The UK will have something to say about it, obviously, but I think it would be a great thing. How can it be bad?” BREAKING: Donald Trump has said he would 'love' to see a unified Ireland during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin. Replying to a reporter, the US president said 'it's going to happen eventually' adding 'the UK will have something to say about it'. pic.twitter.com/hJ2ZjdIhB5 — Sky News (@SkyNews) September 12, 2026 In response, Downing Street pointed to comments from Prime Minister Andy Burnham earlier in the week rejecting the prospect of an immediate border poll on whether Ireland should be unified. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused the president of “shooting from the hip as usual, just like he did with Greenland and Canada becoming the 51st state”. She added: “This sort of loose talk about the future of democratic countries is deeply unhelpful and creates unnecessary tension. “Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. At a time when separatists are in power in Scotland, Wales and NI, we need a government that will defend the Union clearly and confidently.” President Trump is shooting from the hip as usual, just like he did with Greenland and Canada becoming the 51st state. This sort of loose talk about the future of democratic countries is deeply unhelpful and creates unnecessary tension. Northern Ireland is part of the United… https://t.co/JxsowfziLR — Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) September 12, 2026 Reform leader Nigel Farage, a close ally of Trump, also hit out at the president. He posted on X: “Northern Ireland is a proud and integral part of the United Kingdom. The people of Northern Ireland neither want a referendum, nor unification. I disagree with President Trump.” Northern Ireland is a proud and integral part of the United Kingdom. The people of Northern Ireland neither want a referendum, nor unification. I disagree with President Trump. — Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) September 12, 2026 Gavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, said: “President Trump knows better than most that elections matter. Northern Ireland’s constitutional future will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland, not by commentary in London, Dublin or Washington. “Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom because that is the settled democratic will of its people. I am confident NI will continue to choose the UK and the security it offers. “As unionists we are not interested in the destruction of our country by joining with the Irish Republic.” President Trump knows better than most that elections matter. Northern Ireland’s constitutional future will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland, not by commentary in London, Dublin or Washington. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom because that is the settled… https://t.co/BozSTf93j9 — Gavin Robinson (@GRobinsonDUP) September 12, 2026 But Irish politicians welcomed the president’s remarks. Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “President Trump’s endorsement of a united Ireland is welcome. “The Good Friday Agreement states that this is a decision for us on the island of Ireland to make on our own - north and south. That does not mean that outside opinions and advice cannot be offered. “Going back to independence and before, America has always had a special role to play in our national story.” President Trump's endorsement of a united Ireland is welcome. The Good Friday Agreement states that this is a decision for us on the island of Ireland to make on our own - north and south. That does not mean that outside opinions and advice cannot be offered. Going back to… https://t.co/wQV4xRX6Cv — Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) September 12, 2026 Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “President Trump’s comments on Irish reunification are timely. The Taoiseach must now begin planning for a united Ireland.” The US plays a critical role in supporting peace in Ireland. That same commitment to diplomacy & peace must be applied to Palestine. The US must stop arming Israel & stop facilitating the genocide. President Trump’s comments on Irish reunification are timely. The Taoiseach… — Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) September 12, 2026 Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... 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