Sean Whelan

Washington Correspondent

Reportedly reserved by nature, quiet 'not a show pony', as one friend told TV news, the new Pope does not sound like someone who wants to take on the US President in public

How will the 267th Pope deal with the 47th US President?

People used to say that only Richard Nixon could go to China, so maybe only an American Pope can act as a moral check on the US President and his MAGA movement's most extreme positions, writes Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 09 May

People in Yemen check the rubble of a building hit in US strikes (File image)

Trump says US will stop bombing Houthis in Yemen

US President Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire in the US campaign against Houthi missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

World • 06 May

The nominee to be ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh, is from New Jersey, where he runs a project management company providing services to the construction industry

US ambassadors to Ireland, EU given their instructions

It wasn't so much a questioning of the ambassadors, as a setting down of foreign policy talking points that the senators want to see being delivered in Dublin, Paris and the Hague for the remainder of US President Donald Trump's term.

Analysis and Comment • 04 May

Edward Walsh is from New Jersey where he runs a project management company

Ambassador to Ireland nominee attends US Senate hearing

A hearing has taken place in the United States concerning President Donald Trump's nominee for the position of US Ambassador to Ireland.

US • 03 May

US President Donald Trump has signed 137 executive orders during his first 100 days in office

Economy remains key issue during Trump's first 100 days

Wednesday marks the first 100 days of the second Trump administration - that notional period in which presidencies are supposed to define themselves and set down the main themes for the remainder of the term.

US • 28 Apr

The IMF says the tariff regime introduced on April 2 by the Trump administration will cut global economic growth to 2.8% from a projected 3.3% just three months ago

IMF says tariffs will hit economic growth this year

The International Monetary Fund has sharply cut its growth forecasts for this year because of the disruption caused by the tariffs on imports introduced by the US.

Business • 23 Apr

Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnick listen as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office

Tariff reprieve just a pause on a rollercoaster ride

It's been a week-long rollercoaster since Donald Trump's "reciprocal tariffs" were announced, but every rollercoaster has a pause before shooting off again and this wild ride far from over, writes Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 11 Apr

Martin Heydon met with the US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins in Washington today (file pic)

Minister believes US will engage with EU on tariffs soon

The Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said he believes the US will engage with EU negotiating teams very soon over the newly imposed US tariff regime.

World • 08 Apr

Taoiseach Micheál Martin was responding to calls for the introduction of a wage subsidy scheme in response to the tariffs

Tariff supports have to be 'sustainable' - Taoiseach

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said any supports to help businesses affected by US tariffs needs to be "financially sustainable" in the medium and long-term.

Politics • 09 Apr

Tariff plan like Brexit - will take damage to make point

The US tariff plan is like Brexit, willing to accept damage to itself in order to make a point, writes Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 07 Apr