The legacy of the border that runs between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland — which is part of the United Kingdom — is a complex one. After decades of sectarian violence, a fragile peace has held since 1998; at the moment, there's a frictionless border in place. But as Ireland and the U.K. prepare for a hard Brexit, there are fears that re-establishing a "hard" border as a result of the U.K. leaving the European Union could threaten that peace. President Trump, though, doesn't want anybody to worry.
While meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Wednesday, Trump, who has expressed support for a no-deal Brexit, said that he understands the Irish border is a point of contention. But, he reassured Varadkar it would all be just just fine — he knows a thing or two about tense situations surrounding borders, after all.
Trump's stance on the Irish border was a bit unclear when he addressed reporters alongside Varadkar, though the latter later clarified that the president agrees it should remain open. Trump said he was confident everything would work out "with your wall, your border." Varadkar was quick to remind Trump that everyone hopes to avoid a hard border or a wall, to which Trump replied "I think you do," noting that "the way it works now is good."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
September 13 editorial cartoonsCartoons Saturday's political cartoons include court-approved racial profiling and America's moral compass
-
Giorgio Armani obituary: designer revolutionised the business of fashionIn the Spotlight ‘King Giorgio’ came from humble beginnings to become a titan of the fashion industry and redefine 20th century clothing
-
Crossword: September 13, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to TrumpSpeed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raidsSpeed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raidSpeed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearingSpeed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
-
White House defends boat strike as legal doubts mountSpeed Read Experts say there was no legal justification for killing 11 alleged drug-traffickers
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own listspeed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act
-
Court hands Harvard a win in Trump funding battleSpeed Read The Trump administration was ordered to restore Harvard's $2 billion in research grants
