As the 2016 US presidential campaign draws to a close - it seems that Hillary Clinton is set to become the country's first female president.
While the election of the former US Sectary of State is set to see business continue more-or-less as usual, a Brexit-style upset from Donald Trump will send shock-waves around the world which will be felt in Ireland.
Tell me how you really feel...
In late May, Taoiseach Enda Kenny labelled comments from the businessman-come-politician "racist and dangerous" - adding that the US public has "an alternative to vote for."
While Trump and his camp have not been shy in speaking their mind (official press releases from the campaign make frequent references to 'Crooked' Hillary and 'Lyin’ Ted Cruz') they are yet to react to these comments.
Mr Kenny's words are likely to be of little consequence, but it was an uncharacteristically blunt assessment - and throughout this race Mr Trump has show that he often takes these kinds of personal slights to heart. His campaign has not responded to a number of Newstalk requests for comment on this issue and the future of US/Ireland relations under a Donald Trump presidency.
PA
Patriotism and protectionism
While Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama have been critical of US firms coming to Ireland to reduce their tax bills, Trump has had a different stance.
Rather than blaming Ireland or these companies, Mr Trump says that these firms are only leaving the US because its current tax code is not competitive.
Speaking to Bloomberg in November of last year, he said, "In the old days you would leave New York and go down to Florida, or you would leave New Jersey to go to Texas to save taxes."
.@HillaryClinton's tax hikes will CRUSH our economy. I will cut taxes -- BIG LEAGUE. https://t.co/EtA1tBnrNG pic.twitter.com/NgMDP4wilI
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 20, 2016
"Now because of the way the world is so different, you leave the United States and you go to Ireland, and different places in Asia and you go to Europe. It is a different world and we have to compete better," the Presidential hopeful continued.
Slashing rates in the US could have major implications for the future decisions of US firms, as 'staying at home' would become a more attractive prospect.
Trump's politics preach that the US is being ripped off by trade deals. He is effectively promising to renegotiate all existing trade agreements - and to redraw the terms of proposed future deals.
Although the EU is not mentioned in his '7 Point Plan To Rebuild the American Economy by Fighting for Free Trade' which mainly focuses on China, it could suffer severely if 'President Trump' follows through on his promises to get tough on international trade and to get better terms for the US.
J1 Bummer
Donald Trump has promised to 'terminate' the J1 visa programme under which thousands of Irish students travel to the US each summer.
Although the practicality of such a proposal has been disputed, "I wouldn’t put a lot of credence in what Trump says. The J1 is a fantastic vehicle for promoting international relations," NUI Galway lecturer and Boston lawyer Larry Donnelly told Newstalk Breakfast.
The J1 programme has been highlighted as a visa with a high-rate of overstay offences and it has been singled out by Trump as a scheme which he wants to end.
