President Michael D Higgins writes to congratulate Donald Trump on election win
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President Michael D Higgins has written to US president-elect Donald Trump this evening to congratulate him on his victory.
Mr Trump achieved a resounding victory in the US election earlier this week, winning both the electoral college and the popular vote.
In his letter, President Higgins wrote of the enduring partnership between Ireland and the US and said that both countries would continue to build their valued relationship.
This year marks 100 years of diplomacy between the two nations, it was noted, with 32 million people in America able to trace their heritage back to "our small island".
"These valued relationships are manifested both in the breadth and depth of our connections on so many levels, as well as in our extensive economic and cultural partnerships," President Higgins said.
Turning to the political sphere, he spoke of the key role the US played in delivering the Good Friday Agreement and said its support remains critical in safeguarding peace and prosperity on this island.
He did highlight the "global concerns" that have been raised internationally since Trump won the election in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Issues including international conflicts, climate change, and food security were highlighted by the Irish president, echoing concerns raised by various other political leaders in recent days.
"I believe that achieving peace, ending global hunger, and having an effective multilateralism are al central challenges of our time, the solutions for which are so vital now and to which Ireland is committed," Mr Higgins said.
"As we begin the next century of diplomatic relations between our two countries, we will continue to build our relationship on the solid and mutually beneficial ground that our people have nurtured for the last hundred years."
Both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste sent congratulatory messages to Mr Trump on Wednesday but Simon Harris warned of the potential impact a second Trump administration may have on Ireland within hours of the result.
Mr Harris warned that Ireland could face “transatlantic trade shocks” as Mr Trump frequently promised to introduce tariffs on goods imported into the US from the EU and pledged to bring US multinationals home by cutting corporation tax to 15%.
Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman acknowledged Mr Trump's win but declined to offer any congratulations while Labour leader Ivana Bacik called the election result devastating.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald sidestepped questions on how she felt about Mr Trump but said that the outcome of the democratic process is to be respected and Ireland must continue to work with whatever administration is in place.