The US-Ireland Alliance was established with the aim of fostering strong connections between the United States and Ireland, not only for present generations but also for the future. From the start, there were doubts about the potential long-term prospects of this relationship.
For reunion this month, several Mitchell alumni will gather in Dublin. It is important to honor and celebrate these connections, while also being honest about what needs to be done to sustain both the Mitchell scholarship and the relationship as a whole.
During my time as Senator Ted Kennedy’s foreign policy adviser in the 1990s, the United States and President Bill Clinton were deeply invested in the peace process in Northern Ireland. This issue held great importance for Congress and the administration at that time. However, as US interest has diminished over the years, it is now Ireland’s responsibility to take the lead.
In the 1990s, the Irish American population reached 44 million, but today it stands at 34 million. Additionally, Irish Americans held significant positions of power in Congress during that time. However, times have changed, and it is important to acknowledge that the relationship between the US and Ireland cannot be overstated. While statements made after Brexit, emphasizing the importance of upholding the Good Friday Agreement, had some impact, the current Biden administration is not rushing into trade negotiations with any country.
In an interview with the New York Times in December 2020, President-elect Biden stated that he would focus on investing in domestic matters before entering into new trade agreements. This shift in approach is influenced by concerns over supply chains and the need to reduce dependence on countries like Russia and China. The Biden administration’s strategy is to move beyond traditional trade deals, as seen during Rishi Sunak’s recent visit to Washington, which resulted in an “Atlantic declaration” rather than a free trade deal.
In my book, Shenanigans, I discussed how Europe has been deprioritized in US foreign policy, particularly during the Obama years. President Biden has revived the pivot to Asia due to the rise of China. This shift in focus is evident in prestigious scholarship programs, with evidence showing that the pivot to Asia comes at the expense of Europe.
Educational exchanges play a crucial role in bilateral relationships, and it is important for the Mitchell program to receive support from the Biden administration. While it may have seemed like an easy deliverable during the president’s visit to Ireland in March, it did not happen. However, we have seen other countries, like South Korea, announcing significant investments in youth exchanges with the United States. The US, India, Japan, and Australia have also established The Quad Fellowships to strengthen ties among the next generation of scientists and technologists.
Most major scholarships began with generous funding from wealthy donors. However, the Mitchell Scholarship, although competitive, lags behind others in terms of endowment. To ensure its sustainability, Ireland could provide the necessary funds from its surplus, which is largely funded by US multinationals operating in the country. Such an investment would benefit both Ireland and the scholarship program.
The Mitchell Scholars already serve as excellent ambassadors for Ireland. However, the true value of the program may not be fully realized in our lifetime. To secure its future, it is crucial for those with power and resources to share the same vision. The Rhodes Scholarship, for example, took nearly nine decades to see one of its recipients become president. Many influential individuals, such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and Jake Sullivan, have benefited from being Rhodes alumni.
Considering the value of the US-Ireland relationship, the declining Irish American demographic, the Mitchell Scholarship’s role in promoting Ireland as an educational destination, and the impact of Ireland’s annual Oscar Wilde Awards attracting film productions like Star Wars, it would be a mutually beneficial move if Ireland were to provide the entire €40m endowment. This amount is a small fraction of the surplus mainly contributed by US multinationals in Ireland.
Trina Y Vargo is the founder and president of the US-Ireland Alliance.
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