RTÉ News: Taoiseach's China visit tests Ireland's position between world powers
Ireland has "at times played up to this role", according to Alexander Dukalskis, Associate Professor in the School of Politics and International Relations in UCD.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Dr Dukalskis also thinks "China likes that Ireland is not in NATO, an organisation that along with Russia it dislikes".
However, he believes China’s attitude could easily shift.
"Ireland is in a tough spot right now when it comes to great-power politics.
"The current US administration is treating Europe like an enemy, Putin's Russia has actively invaded European territory and has allegedly carried out operations in Ireland, and China wants Russia to win the war and will exert its economic leverage ruthlessly should Beijing and Dublin ever have a diplomatic conflict."
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The Indo Daily: Is Xi Jinping vs Donald Trump the battle for the new world order?
“For China, the US was, is, and remains adversary number one,” says Alexander Dukalskis, associate professor at the School of Politics and Relations at UCD, on the Indo Daily podcast.
“One of its long-term strategic goals is to drive a wedge between the United States and Europe, which makes Trump’s move towards Europe really inexplicable if you think he’s actually interested in taking on China. The idea that Trump is tough on China or sees China as the main rival doesn’t really cohere with the Trump administration’s policies.”
So why is Xi Jinping so interested in Ireland?
“I think it sees Ireland as a potentially friendly voice in the European Union,” says Dukalskis. “China likes that Ireland is not in Nato and is militarily neutral. China has a real deep distrust and dislike for Nato.”
Listen now: (opens in a new window)The Indo Daily: Is Xi Jinping vs Donald Trump the battle for the new world order?