The recent visit to China by Ireland’s prime minister, Micheal Martin, underscored the importance of personal relationships and Ireland’s pragmatic and rules-based approach amid rising geopolitical tensions. It also reaffirmed the resilience and continuity of the bilateral relationship.

In Beijing, Martin met China’s top leaders. Discussions covered the bilateral relationship, trade and investment links, European Union-China tensions, and shared global issues, including peace, security, and the state of the global trading system, while exploring new areas of cooperation across sectors ranging from green development and digital technologies to education and tourism.

The agenda for the Shanghai leg was practical and pragmatic, focusing on business, education, and tourism and covering, among other things, investment opportunities, food standards, and potential routes. That mix of sectors reflects a shared interest in deepening mutually beneficial, win-win cooperation between a small, open European economy and the world’s second-largest economy.

A key outcome for Ireland was the resumption of beef exports, following a 2024 ban due to an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. This is a significant gain for Irish farmers, who are under pressure to adopt sustainable practices. It also illustrates how clear standards, scientific monitoring and regulatory cooperation can restore confidence on both sides.

China is already Ireland’s largest trading partner in Asia and among its top five worldwide. The relationship extends far beyond food exports; sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, tech services, and aircraft leasing all play major roles.

There are about 400 Irish companies in China, employing roughly 5,000 people. Chinese firms in Ireland support a similar number of jobs, mainly in high-value sectors such as information and communications technology and biopharma, as well as aircraft leasing and financial services. These two-way flows of jobs, capital and expertise give the relationship depth and resilience beyond any single political or economic cycle.

Historically, its approach has reflected engagement without sentimentality and caution without complacency. For a small country whose prosperity depends on trade, stability, and predictable rules, dialogue is not a concession but a necessity. Ireland’s experience shows that differences can be managed without resorting to confrontation and that trust is built over time through consistency and dialogue

As an EU member state since 1973, Ireland has been involved in the bloc’s decisions on China, including China’s accession to the World Trade Organization, and more recently in economic issues such as those involving electric vehicles and solar panels. Successive Irish governments have favored pragmatism rather than protectionism in shaping policy. For Dublin, the emerging language of “de-risking” means targeted, proportionate measures in clearly defined sensitive sectors — not a broad retreat from open trade or an attempt to contain China’s development.

It is hoped that the same instinct will shape Ireland’s approach during its presidency of the Council of the European Union. While the six-month term will not define China-EU relations, it will give Ireland meaningful opportunity and procedural influence and help keep discussions anchored in practical problem-solving rather than rhetoric or confrontation.

Chinese commentators have already expressed hope that Ireland will help steer proceedings in a measured, pragmatic direction, viewing it as a trustworthy, rules-based partner capable of contributing to the stable, healthy development of China-EU relations.

The wider international environment poses a far more complex challenge for Ireland’s presidency. The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to be a major problem. Conflicts in the Middle East, from Gaza to flashpoints across the region, are feeding into energy prices, migration flows, and domestic politics across the EU.

The United States has moved away from many of the principles it once promoted abroad. Its emphasis on the rule of law, human rights, democratic norms and respect for sovereignty has weakened, and it has also retreated from leadership in humanitarian assistance and environmental protection. What has also faded is the assumption that diplomacy and multilateral cooperation should take precedence over coercion and unilateral action.

Across Europe, concern is growing about US President Donald Trump’s stance on Greenland and the very real threat of sanctions against NATO allies who do not support the move. This is adding to the strain on European governments already dealing with hostilities on NATO’s eastern flank and facing difficult economic-security choices. While most Europeans still favor alignment with the US, recent actions in Venezuela and comments on Cuba, Colombia, Mexico and Iran, alongside echoes of the Monroe Doctrine, are seriously undermining trust and confidence in Washington’s current policy direction.

Ireland will assume the presidency of the Council in this complex and rapidly changing geopolitical environment. The challenge for a small, neutral state on Europe’s western edge that hosts critical digital and financial infrastructure will be immense. Its neutrality has never meant indifference to the risks. Instead, it has meant managing them through alliances, economic ties, and an increasingly contested and fragmented international rules-based order that remains indispensable to the security and voice of small states.

Those same considerations can shape Ireland’s approach to China-EU relations. Historically, its approach has reflected engagement without sentimentality and caution without complacency. For a small country whose prosperity depends on trade, stability, and predictable rules, dialogue is not a concession but a necessity. Ireland’s experience shows that differences can be managed without resorting to confrontation and that trust is built over time through consistency and dialogue.

It is believed that during its presidency of the Council, Ireland will not redraw Europe’s China policy, but it can help ensure that debate remains anchored in facts, proportionality and mutual interest, and that practical cooperation is not sacrificed for short-term political gain.

At a time when global institutions are under strain and major powers are testing the limits, credibility matters.

The author is an international partner and member of the Global Advisory Board, MilleniumAssociates AG.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.