Protecting the Good Friday Agreement, from DC to NY and back home again

A Letter from Ireland

a Chara,

I’m on the road again, this time with Gerry Kelly visiting Washington and New York. The Washington leg of the trip was in advance of the meeting between President Biden and the British Prime Minister Liz Truss.

On her way over to New York, Liz Truss conceded that there would be no possibility of a trade deal with the US in the short or medium term. One of the lies of Brexit was that it would replace an open trade deal with the EU by a better deal with the US. Brexit was premised on the notion that Britain was a global power that could dictate their terms on the rest of the world.

They have ridden roughshod over the Good Friday Agreement and have unilaterally declared that they would no longer be bound by international agreements of laws. Claiming that they are no longer pursuing a trade agreement with the US in favour of one with Canada and Australia. A claim that is fooling no one.

It is an attempt to park US opposition to their undermining the Good Friday Agreement. She seems to believe that by giving up the chance of a trade deal with the US, President Biden will turn a blind eye to their actions. Their continued threat to break international agreements and laws, against the advice of the US, Ireland and the EU, will remain a point of contention in international relations. It should also be a warning sign to any nation contemplating doing a deal with Britain. For this British government, any agreement is not worth the paper it is printed on.

As I write this, we are in New York to attend the inaugural Martin McGuinness Foundation dinner. An opportunity to remember Martin, to celebrate his life, and to build on his legacy. It promises to be a great night for a lost leader.

By the time this arrives in your inbox I will have landed back in Ireland.

I want to thank the Congressional offices who opened their doors to us. They are friends of Ireland, of the cause of protecting the Good Friday Agreement, and of upholding international law.

I would also like to thank our many friends, for their support, welcome, and advice, who made this trip possible.

Have a great weekend.

Is mise,

Ciarán

Ciarán Quinn is the Sinn Féin Representative to North America. Each week he writes a letter from Ireland with news and analysis. It is featured in the weekly Friends of Sinn Féin USA Newsletter. Be sure you are subscribed to stay up to date.