These things are tightly choreographed, and Mr Xi is no Donald Trump in terms of freewheeling or answering questions. Back at the Taoiseach's hotel, inappropriately called The Kerry, Mr Martin took part in a business dinner which hammered home Irish interests: Trade. That reality, as Mr Trump unilaterally takes control of Venezuelan oil, creates a nuance of this trip that Mr Martin had to grapple with. On multiple occasions, Mr Martin decried the Maduro regime as brutal and oppressive. Everywhere Mr Martin went, there were layers of security.

Source: Irish Examiner January 10, 2026 01:12 UTC