On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my congratulations to the people of Ireland as you celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
The bond between our nations is truly special and enduring. Over 30 million Americans claim Irish heritage, and Ireland's contributions to American independence, from Charles Thomson's design of the Great Seal of the United States to the nine signers of the Declaration of Independence of Irish origin, are woven into our nation's founding.
As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, we look forward to deepening our partnership to meet the opportunities and challenges of today's world. Our trade and investment relationship stands at over $1 trillion, with Ireland ranking as the fifth-largest foreign investor in the United States, supporting over 375,000 American jobs across all 50 states. We are committed to advancing fair trade policies that benefit us all. The United States and Ireland enjoy close cooperation, and we remain committed to working together to safeguard our shared security and address global challenges. Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh.
