UFC superstar Conor McGregor has publicly criticized US President Donald Trump over his recent decision to impose tariffs on European Union countries, just weeks after the two appeared to form a friendly relationship during McGregor’s White House visit.
The controversy centers around Trump’s announcement of a 20 percent tariff on goods from European Union countries, including McGregor’s native Ireland, while imposing a lower 10 percent levy on the United Kingdom. Trump has framed the move as a “declaration of economic independence.”
McGregor, who visited the White House last month to meet Trump and administration officials during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, took to Twitter to express his displeasure with the tariff discrepancy.
“To be charged double the United Kingdom is an abomination!” McGregor posted. “If this is fully reciprocal, what on earth are we charging our brothers in the US 20 per cent for at the order of the EU.”
The Irish star went on to suggest that Ireland should consider seeking exemptions from the EU regulations or possibly leaving the bloc altogether. “Although we are in the EU, Ireland must administer exemption to our siblings in the United States separate to the EU, and the favor then returned,” he continued.
McGregor added: “Ireland will separate here and we will charge 10 per cent on Irish goods to the US and the US will charge 10 per cent to us also. Fair play. Otherwise, and maybe the caveat in all of this, we should no longer be in the EU.”
Economic experts warn that Trump’s tariffs, announced on what he called “Liberation Day,” will likely result in price increases for American consumers first, with similar effects potentially impacting British consumers later.
Meanwhile, McGregor has been floating a potential run for the Irish presidency, though his chances appear slim. The largely ceremonial position requires candidates to secure support from either 20 members of the Irish parliament or four local authorities.
Irish politicians have publicly dismissed McGregor’s presidential ambitions. Fine Gael senator Garret Ahearn told Sky News: “I genuinely would struggle to think of anyone worse to hold that position.”
Fianna Fail TD Cathal Crowe was equally dismissive, stating: “There isn’t a snowball’s chance… he made a show of himself in Washington DC last week and with no elected mandate he certainly does not ‘speak for Irish people’ when he travels overseas.”
The tariff dispute marks a surprising turn in what appeared to be a budding relationship between McGregor and Trump during their White House meeting just weeks ago. McGregor has not competed in the UFC since his loss to Dustin Poirier four years ago.
