BELFAST, Northern Ireland: U.S. President Donald Trump expressed strong interest in Northern Ireland during discussions at a high-profile event in Washington, according to Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

Little-Pengelly, along with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots, met Trump at the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon at the U.S. Capitol this week. The event, a key fixture in U.S.-Ireland relations, provided an opportunity to discuss economic ties and political issues.

"I had a really good conversation with the President," she told the PA news agency. "Of course, we started out discussing Ukraine and the need for a peaceful resolution to that situation. But of course, we moved on to talk about Northern Ireland. He showed a huge amount of interest in Northern Ireland, a recognition of Northern Ireland – particularly the golf, it has to be said."

Little-Pengelly highlighted the longstanding relationship between the U.S. and Northern Ireland, emphasizing its mutual benefits. "We talked very much about how to continue that constructive relationship moving forward," she said, pointing to trade as a major area of cooperation.

She also underscored the importance of keeping Northern Ireland on Washington's radar amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and the EU.

"I think understandably, in this type of meeting, you don't get into the absolute detail of any of that," she said. "But I have taken the opportunity this week to raise it with a number of people, both politically in terms of up on the Hill but also with, for example, Lord Mandelson, who is the new UK ambassador to the U.S."

With growing concerns over a potential trade war, Little-Pengelly stressed that Washington must recognize Northern Ireland's interests.

"I think it is really important that those key people around DC understand the nuances of this," she said. "It is understandable if Northern Ireland may not be the top of their agenda when they are talking about the relationship between the U.S. and the EU… So I want to make sure that the right people know the details of this and are speaking up for Northern Ireland."

Speaking outside the U.S. Capitol, she described her visit as an opportunity to "show up, stand up, and speak up for Northern Ireland" at a critical moment.

Asked about Trump's comments that he was unaware of Sinn Féin's decision to boycott the Washington trip, Little-Pengelly responded, "It is a matter for Michelle O'Neill and Sinn Féin."

However, she reaffirmed her belief in engaging with U.S. leaders. "I think it is incredibly important for me to be here," she said. "We get unparalleled levels of access."