Trump backs Irish unity for second day, hints at Scotland question

US President Donald Trump again voiced support Sunday (local time) for Northern Ireland breaking away from Britain and uniting with the Republic of Ireland, while hinting he had thoughts on Scottish independence — prodding sensitive British political issues for a second consecutive day.

Speaking to reporters at the Irish Open golf tournament held at his golf course in Doonbeg in western Ireland, Trump said he believed unification was among the most natural things imaginable. "There's Northern Ireland and there's Ireland, and I think putting the two of them together is one of the most natural things," he said. The remarks reiterated similar statements he had made in Dublin the previous day.

He also left the door open on Scotland. "You asked me about Scotland, but I'm not going to talk about that yet," Trump said. "I'll save it for later."

Trump had already sparked a diplomatic uproar on Saturday, the first day of his Ireland visit, when he said it "would be a wonderful thing" for Northern Ireland to separate from Britain. He made the remarks twice: first immediately after meeting Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin, and again in a speech to diplomats and business leaders at the US ambassador's residence in Ireland.

Whether Northern Ireland remains part of Britain is an acutely sensitive issue in both countries, and the United States had maintained a neutral stance on the matter for decades.

Trump's remarks, which appeared to break with longstanding US policy, drew immediate backlash in both Britain and Ireland.

Scottish independence is equally fraught for Britain, as it strikes at the very integrity of the United Kingdom. A 2014 referendum on Scottish independence was defeated, but the issue was reignited after Brexit — Britain's departure from the EU — and remains a source of tension between the Scottish government and Westminster.

The United Kingdom is made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.