NI Executive says US relationship 'important' for Covid recovery

Mr Mulvaney (centre) was appointed US special envoy six months ago

Northern Ireland's relationship with the US is "hugely important" to help boost economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the executive has said.

First Minister Arlene Foster and Sinn Féin junior minister Declan Kearney met US Special Envoy Mick Mulvaney on Tuesday.

Mr Mulvaney's visit is part of a week-long trip to the UK and Ireland.

He also held talks with representatives from the Ulster Unionists, SDLP and Alliance Party.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill was due to attend the meeting but she is unwell - she has been tested for Covid-19 but the result was negative.

This is Mr Mulvaney's first trip here since he was appointed to the role of special envoy by US President Donald Trump in April.

He arrived on Sunday and met NI Secretary of State Brandon Lewis at Hillsborough Castle.

After Tuesday's meeting with the Stormont parties, Mrs Foster said it was a "pleasure to meet Mr Mulvaney for the first time formally in his role".

"The United States has long since recognised the strength of our people and the value of our skilled workforce," she said.

"Our meeting afforded the chance to discuss, not just the challenges facing us in Northern Ireland, but the opportunities for trade and investment that will be crucial as we work to rebuild our economy."

Brexit and peace process

Mr Kearney said NI's long-standing relationship with the US offered "huge potential" for the economy.

"This is no doubt a turbulent time globally as we face the shared challenge of responding to, and recovering from, the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.

Ministers also discussed the "additional challenges" presented by the approaching end of the Brexit transition period.

Mr Kearney added that it was important to "build on the support of the US for the peace process".

Speaking after his party's meeting with Mr Mulvaney, Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken said his party had also raised issues around Brexit with the special envoy.

"Not least our concern and frustration at how a number of politicians are incorrectly misrepresenting the Belfast Agreement in the current Brexit withdrawal negotiations and completely ignoring the unionist position," he said.

"We stressed that the Belfast Agreement must be supported in all its forms and that any barriers to trade within the United Kingdom are unacceptable to all of us who put interests of Northern Ireland and it's people first.

"It was a very positive meeting and we look forward to continuing our engagement with the US government as we move forward."

Speaking to BBC's The View programme after the meetings, Mr Mulvaney said his visit to Northern Ireland had been "very warm and receptive".

He added that he is hoping to return next month, as he had "to make up for lost time".

'Let's take a step back'

He also defended his belief that the US government has "confidence" the UK and EU would reach agreement on a post-Brexit trade deal.

This week sees the latest round of talks get under way between the UK and EU to reach a deal before the 15 October deadline, set out by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Democratic presidential candidate and former vice-president Joe Biden has warned he will not allow NI to become a "casualty of Brexit", if he is elected in November.

Mr Mulvaney, who is a former chief of staff to President Trump, said Number 10's Internal Market Bill - the legislation to override part of the Brexit deal relating to NI - had the "potential to damage" the Good Friday peace deal.

But he urged caution: "People assume the Good Friday Agreement has already been damaged - let's take a step back.

"We're a long way from that, if we work hard together it won't get to that."

Mr Mulvaney's interview with The View will be broadcast in full on BBC One NI on Thursday 1 October at 22:45.