Trump Turns the United Kingdom Upside Down by Emphasizing Support for Irish Reunification

[Financial News] U.S. President Donald Trump, who is visiting Ireland, reiterated on the 13th (local time) his support for Northern Ireland breaking away from the United Kingdom and reunifying with Ireland.
He also added that he would not discuss Scotland's independence yet, making the United Kingdom uncomfortable for the second consecutive day.
During a visit to the Irish Open at his golf course in Doonbeg, western Ireland, Trump told reporters, "There is Northern Ireland, and there is Ireland, and I think bringing the two together would be one of the most natural things to do." The remark underscored comments he had made in Dublin the previous day.
He continued, "I was also asked about Scotland, but I’m not going to talk about that issue yet," adding, "I’ll save it for later."
On December 12, his first day in Ireland, Trump made a series of remarks in Dublin immediately after meeting Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and in a speech to diplomats and business leaders at the residence of the U.S. ambassador to Ireland. He said, in effect, that "it would be a wonderful thing for Northern Ireland to separate from the United Kingdom," triggering diplomatic repercussions.
Whether Northern Ireland should remain part of the United Kingdom is an extremely sensitive issue in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. The United States has maintained neutrality on the matter for decades.
Against this backdrop, Trump's remarks, which appeared to break with the United States' longstanding policy, immediately prompted repercussions and backlash in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The issue of Scottish independence is also considered highly sensitive in the United Kingdom because it is directly linked to the breakup of the United Kingdom. Voters in Scotland rejected an independence referendum in 2014, but the issue resurfaced after Brexit and remains a source of tension between the Scottish Government and the United Kingdom government.
The United Kingdom consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

[email protected] International Affairs Specialist Lee Seok-woo Reporter