Ireland has lost confidence of Trump's US and Britain could be next, report warns

Ireland has lost the confidence of the United States and Britain could be next, a new report warns. The paper, backed by Donald Trump's former national security adviser, calls for the UK to seek closer alignment with America on trade, defence and foreign policy.

The research by the Policy Exchange think tank comes after Sir Keir Starmer split from the US by recognising a Palestinian state and is facing pressure over the Government's China stance. In a foreword, former US national security adviser Robert C O'Brien said: "Ireland has long enjoyed a privileged status in Washington. This has served Dublin well through challenging times.

"But in an era in which the US under President Trump is seeking to put the American interest first, the US relationship with Ireland is coming under unprecedented scrutiny.

"The Trump administration seeks to bring back jobs and production in critical sectors to the US.

"But Ireland, a low-tax haven for international business, has gained a huge advantage for its own economy by offering sweetheart tax deals for American tech and pharmaceutical companies to leave our shores for theirs.

"All the while, despite its professed neutrality, Ireland pursues an increasingly activist foreign policy that is marked by its divergence from everything the Trump administration stands for, particularly in the Middle East.

"Ireland is at the forefront of allegations of genocide against Israel and is historically among the most hostile nations towards Israel in the Western world. Meanwhile, just as it seeks US investment, it cosies up to China with apparently no concern for China's human rights record.

"This Policy Exchange report brings together a wealth of information about the Irish model of economics and foreign policy in a dispassionate and forensic way.

"It should be required reading for American lawmakers, given the special status that Ireland continues to enjoy on the Hill.

"For strong believers in the Irish relationship, all is not lost. Importantly, this report shows that a growing number of voices in Ireland are worried about the consequences of such an approach."

The report's author, Harry Halem, senior research fellow in the national security unit at Policy Exchange, warned the UK Government risks tensions with the US with actions such as recognising Palestine, softening its stance to China and the Chagos Islands deal.

He said: "The British Government may regard gestures such as recognising Palestinian statehood, handing over Chagos and a lenient stance toward China as cost-free.

"The example of Ireland, however, demonstrates that these divergences from the President's explicit priorities will apply an unsustainable strain to the UK's relationship with the US.

"If the UK is to survive in this new era of conditional diplomacy, the Prime Minister must heed the warning of Peak Ireland as its economy unravels and its influence in Washington wanes."

The report comes after Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly, who previously described Mr Trump as "volatile, unpredictable, acting like a bully", was last week elected as Ireland's president.