Varadkar praises Trump over ‘booming economy’

The Irish premier has told US President Donald Trump that he can see the results of his ambitions to “make America great again”.

Speaking at the traditional shamrock presentation at the White House, Leo Varadkar described US military power as “unrivalled”.

During the annual event, the Taoiseach presented the US president with a bowl of shamrock to mark his St Patrick’s visit to Washington DC.

The bowl presented to Mr Trump, in the company of his wife, Melania, was made at Kilkenny Crystal in Callan, the home town of Irish-American architect James Hoban.

Mr Hoban designed both Leinster House in Dublin and the president’s official residence, the White House.

Mr Varadkar said: “The American economy is booming. More jobs. Rising incomes. Exactly what you said you’d do.

“However, I believe the greatness of America is about more than economic prowess and military might.

“It is rooted in the things that make us love America – your people, your values, a new nation conceived in liberty. The land and the home of the brave and the free.”

The Taoiseach added that the futures of the US and Ireland were entwined.

“I believe that future generations of our citizens should have the same opportunity to enrich one another’s societies as past generations have,” he said.