Trump reiterates support for Irish unity, won't talk about Scotland "yet"

US President Donald Trump has reiterated his support for Northern Ireland leaving the United Kingdom and reuniting with the Republic of Ireland, but said he would not "yet" discuss the possibility of Scotland becoming independent.

Trump surprised officials in Dublin and angered pro-British politicians in Northern Ireland and London when he strongly supported Irish reunification during a visit to Dublin on Saturday, saying he would "love" it to happen sooner rather than later, Reuters reported.

"You have Northern Ireland and you have Ireland and it seems to me that one of the most natural things would ever be for them to come together," Trump told reporters during a visit to a golf tournament at one of his resorts, reiterating his earlier stance.

"You asked about Scotland. I won't talk about that yet. I'll leave that for another day," he added.

Scotland, where the Trump family also owns a golf resort, voted against independence from the rest of the United Kingdom in a 2014 referendum. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out holding a new referendum, as well as a referendum on Northern Ireland's exit from the United Kingdom.

Trump made the remarks about Irish unity after a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Michel Martin. In his first comments since Trump's remarks, Martin said the reaction from some unionist politicians was "over the top."

"That shouldn't be a surprise. He sees things from a different perspective," Martin told reporters, after meeting again with Trump for lunch on the golf course.

Martin said they discussed Northern Ireland and its relationship with the Republic of Ireland, and that he explained to the American president how peace was achieved in that area under British rule.

The 1998 peace agreement ended three decades of violence between Irish nationalists, who advocated for a united Ireland, and unionists, who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom.

"I support unification, but I don't see it happening now. I've been very clear about that," Martin said in a separate interview with the BBC.

"If the vote were to be held next week, it would very likely be difficult for the proposal to gain the necessary support."