‘Ireland has been very successful worldwide by adopting a policy of cultural promotion of the island, rather than belligerently imposing tariffs’

Sir, – In discussing tariffs, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau recently contrasted the win-lose situations in some real estate deals, something about which Donald Trump has some knowledge, to the win-win deals in international trade in relations between nation states. When meeting the US president in the White House, perhaps our Taoiseach might get more traction by taking a page out of Mr Trudeau’s book if he were to emphasise the fact that Ireland has been very successful worldwide by adopting a policy of cultural promotion of the island, rather than belligerently imposing tariffs.

A partnership approach, including Team Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, IDA, Tourism Ireland, Bord Bia, embassy and consulate networks, Science Foundation Ireland, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, not to mention the many St Patrick’s Day events and parades spreading goodwill and happiness worldwide, have all contributed to a win-win situation for the island.

Our Taoiseach might even be so brave as to suggest that we would be willing to assist the US in copying this very successful model. – Yours, etc,

BOBBY CARTY,