Trump Supports United Ireland, Lifts Irish Whiskey Tariffs During Ireland Visit

President Donald Trump has doubled down on his support for a united Ireland.

He spent day two of his visit at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, County Clare, for the Irish Open.

On Saturday, Trump told reporters he would love to see a united Ireland while at a meeting with the Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin in Dublin.

Speaking on Sunday at his Doonbeg golf resort, he said it would be natural to put Ireland and Northern Ireland "together".

He spoke to reporters after watching the eventual tournament winner, Irish golfer Shane Lowry, tee off.

He described what he said about a united Ireland as "a fairly routine comment".

"I've always loved the people of Ireland. It just seems to me you have Northern Ireland and Ireland," he said

"It seems that one of the naturals of all time is to put them together.

"That's only my opinion, and by the way many people agree."

The president sidestepped a question about Scottish independence.

"I won't talk about Scotland yet I will save that," he said.

Asked about Prime Minister Andy Burnham's remarks that there would be no poll on Irish unity until a majority in Northern Ireland were likely to vote in favour, Trump added: "Everybody says that and then things happen."

The taoiseach said the president's remarks did not come as a "surprise" to him.

"He would make the point this is his view. He believes unity is the logical way for the island to be configured and organised," Martin said.

He added: "I think some of the reaction is an overreaction. It shouldn't be a surprise. He takes a different sort of perspective on things."

On Sunday, Trump handed over the winner's trophy at the Trump International golf resort in Doonbeg to Irish Open winner Shane Lowry.

In a speech during the ceremony, Trump announced he will lift the tariffs on Irish whiskey.

Whiskey distilled in the Republic of Ireland faces the standard 15% tariff which applies to EU goods entering the US.

There had been concern within the Irish whiskey industry since Trump had introduced new tariffs at the start of his second term.

The ceremony marked the end of Trump's two-day trip to Ireland.

Whiskey tariff analysis - BBC News NI economics and business editor John Campbell:

Assuming the Trump tariffs on Irish whiskey are removed it will end the advantage that some Northern Ireland distillers had over competitors in the Republic of Ireland.

That is because producers north of the border were covered by the removal of tariffs on all UK-made whiskey which Trump announced in May.

All-island supply chains meant that some NI whiskey brands could not benefit from the earlier tariff cut.

Newer distilleries bottle whiskey produced by other companies while they wait for their own product to mature.

This service is dominated by the Great Northern Distillery in Dundalk, County Louth which produces whiskey under licence for brands across the island.

It means the NI distilleries bottling that liquid have been classified as EU rather than UK producers.

However, others have praised Trump for the benefits and jobs his golf course brings to the local area.

Martin Kelly is a local businessman from Doonbeg and said the village is "very fortunate" to have the Trump International Golf Course.

"It's a massive employer here to be honest with you," he told BBC News NI.

"There's nothing else about here at that scale; they're very decent people to work for, they're very fair."

He said local people are "very proud" that the golf tournament is taking place there.

Seoirse Comerford owns the Comerford bar in Doonbeg. He described the tournament as "unbelievable".

He said the golf course is a big employer and is keeping Doonbeg "alive".

"Most rural villages in west Clare are all dying a death, young people going away to college, they don't come back.

"Like there's over 300 people employed up there at the golf course , it's a big boost to the local economy. You've got big companies in Dublin, like Intel, the golf course is our Intel down here."