First Minister and the Prime Minister meet with the US President in Scotland
The President was on a private tour of his golf courses in Scotland, but mixed business with pleasure.
The meeting with Mr Swinney took place at MacLeod House on the Menie Estate ahead of the official opening of the second golf course at Trump International.
During his meeting with President Trump, Mr Swinney urged the President to consider economic protections for Scotland's whisky and salmon sector, including an exemption for whisky from the 10% tariff applied on UK exports into the US.
The First Minister was also unequivocal in demanding action to tackle the 'unbearable, unjust and inhumane' situation unfolding in Gaza, as he urged the President to use his immense influence to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis.
During their meeting, the First Minister also stressed Scotland's unwavering support for the people of Ukraine, urging President Trump to stand firm in defence of democracy and peace against Russian aggression.
Mr Swinney also presented the President with a proposal to provide Edinburgh Airport with US Customs pre-clearance facilities which the First Minister said would help 'demonstrate the strength of America's enduring relationship with its friend and partner, Scotland'.
Speaking after the meeting, the First Minister said: 'During our discussions, I was able to represent the interests and values of Scotland directly with the President, specifically, urging him to make the case for tariff exemptions for our world class whisky and salmon sector. I believe there is now a window of opportunity to make the case for whisky and at the invitation of the President, I intend to make further representation to him on this matter.
'I implored President Trump to use his immense influence on the Israeli government to end the unbearable, unjust, and inhumane situation unfolding in Gaza, and to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis we are witnessing.
'As a proud country that stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, I urged President Trump to help make those ideals – American ideals – a reality for the people of Ukraine. Scotland has consistently stood with the people of Ukraine in defence of freedom, peace and a just society, and we want to see a world where those principles apply to all.'
President Trump has also met with the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and also the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.
The Prime Minister, who travelled to Aberdeen with President Trump on Air Force One, discussed Gaza and the need for urgent action there to bring an end to the suffering 'which has reached new depths'. They agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire to pave the way for peace. The Prime Minister welcomed the President's efforts to secure this. He also shared plans he is working on with other European leaders to bring about a lasting peace.
The two leaders also agreed that they must maintain momentum to bring about an end to the war with Russian and they discussed plans for the President's upcoming State Visit to the UK in September.
The White House has made its own announcements about the deals which President Trump on behalf of the United States has entered into during his visit and they have posted this montage below. The US President is leaving Scotland to return to The White House on Tuesday afternoon.
Like this:
Like
Related
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
40 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Growing number of Jewish American groups speak out over Gaza famine
As global outrage intensifies over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a growing number of prominent Jewish American organizations, including some traditional defenders of Israel, are speaking out and imploring the country to ensure that humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza. This week, a UN-backed food security group warned that a 'worst-case scenario of famine' is unfolding in Gaza and health authorities there report dozens of deaths from starvation. On Sunday, the American Jewish Committee, a prominent Jewish advocacy organization, released a statement affirming that it stands with Israel in what it described as 'its justified war to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas and secure the release of the remaining hostages'. At the same time, the group called for Israel to take steps to alleviate civilian suffering. 'We feel immense sorrow for the grave toll this war has taken on Palestinian civilians, and we are deeply concerned about worsening food insecurity in Gaza,' the statement read. 'We urge Israel, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the UN, and all responsible parties involved in aid distribution to increase cooperation and coordination in order to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Palestinian civilians in Gaza.' The GHF is an Israel- and US-backed aid group that has attracted condemnation for the killings of hundreds of civilians seeking food at the hands of Israeli forces and private contractors. The AJC statement reflected a cautious critique of Israel's aid blockade echoed by other groups noteworthy for their typically staunch support of the country, even as their statements condemned Hamas for refusing to release the Israeli hostages it continues to hold. The Reform movement in North America, which represents the largest Jewish denomination in the US, also issued a lengthy statement: 'Neither escalating military pressure nor restricting humanitarian aid has brought Israel closer to securing a hostage deal or ending the war,' it read. 'Hamas has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to sacrifice the Palestinian people in its pursuit of Israel's destruction, but Israel must not sacrifice its own moral standing in return. Starving Gazan civilians neither will bring Israel the 'total victory' over Hamas it seeks, nor can it be justified by Jewish values or humanitarian law.' The Rabbinical Assembly, a New York-based association of conservative rabbis, said last week that they were 'increasingly concerned about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza' and called for 'urgent action to alleviate civilian suffering and ensure aid delivery'. 'Even as we believe Hamas could end this suffering immediately through the release of the hostages and care for its civilian population, the Israeli government must do everything in its power to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need,' it added. 'The Jewish tradition calls upon us to ensure the provision of food, water, and medical supplies as a top priority.' Jewish groups associated with the left have been prominent fixtures at protests against Israel's offensive since it began. On Tuesday, 27 rabbis and Jewish clergy affiliated with the group Jews for Food Aid for People in Gaza were arrested at a protest in the Washington office of the Senate majority leader, John Thune. But it appears clear that discomfort has significantly broadened outside the Jewish left. On Monday, eight rabbis were arrested outside the Israeli consulate in New York while protesting against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza – including clergy who had not been so outspoken before. 'The protests we've typically seen at the Israeli consulate in places like that are from the further left of the community,' Phylisa Wisdom, executive director of New York Jewish Agenda, told Gothamist. 'This represents an escalation from rabbis in this political lane.' More than 1,200 rabbis have signed a public letter calling on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. 'The Jewish people face a grave moral crisis, threatening the very basis of Judaism as the ethical voice that it has been since the age of Israel's prophets,' reads the letter. 'We cannot remain silent in confronting it.' The developments reflect shifting public support for Israel and the Israeli government within the US, which has accelerated as the war has gone on. A recent Gallup poll reported that support for Israel's military action in Gaza has precipitously declined among US adults, and is now at 32% – the lowest reading since Gallup first asked the question in November 2023. Support for Israel drops further among younger Americans – including US Jews. 'It's a tense time in the Jewish family group chats,' Ezra Klein wrote in a recent New York Times column. 'The consensus that held American Jewry together for generations is breaking down.' While emotional attachment to Israel is widespread among Jewish Americans, polling has consistently found that support for the state's current policies drops with age, a phenomenon perhaps best reflected in the community's support for the New York Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, whom opponents have sought to tar with accusations of antisemitism over his vocal support for Palestinian rights. Despite those accusations, however, a recent poll found him leading with 67% of the votes of American Jewish voters in New York under the age of 44. That figure dropped to 25% of voters over 45. 'Zohran Mamdani's triumph in New York City's Democratic primary for mayor has forced, among many Jews, a reckoning with how far they have drifted from one another,' Klein wrote. Organizers of an action planned for Monday in New York City hope that groups that have not turned out before will do so to protest under the banner 'Jews Say: No More'. 'Our tradition teaches us that if we can protest [against] our people's actions and we don't, we are responsible,' said IfNotNow's executive director, Morriah Kaplan, in a statement to the Guardian. The group is helping organize Monday's action. 'As Jews and as Americans, whose government is funding this atrocity, we all must choose whether we want to bear responsibility for a policy of forced mass starvation.' The shift is also playing out within institutions whose members want their leaders to take a tougher stance on a country many had long reflexively supported. More than 200 alumni from Young Judaea, a Zionist youth group, this week called on the organization in an open letter to depart from its pro-Israel line to speak out against starvation in Gaza and call for a permanent ceasefire, including a release of the hostages. 'We see our families and friends, colleagues and teachers, rabbis and Jewish institutions – in Israel and abroad – join a growing movement to stand courageously in opposition to these policies,' the letter reads. 'Young Judaea cannot remain silent in this moment and maintain any moral credibility.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Palestinian schools teach kids to glorify suicide bombers who kill Jews, reveals dossier as PM plans to recognise state
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PALESTINIAN schools teach children to glorify suicide bombers who slaughter Jews, a shocking dossier reveals. Kids are taught to look up to terrorists in classroom textbooks and even learn to add up by calculating how many 'martyrs' have died. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Palestinian schools teach children to glorify suicide bombers who slaughter Jews, a shocking dossier reveals Credit: AFP 2 The PM has defended his decision to set the UK on a course to recognise Palestine Credit: Reuters The Palestinian Authority (PA) - which runs the West Bank - also spends hundreds of millions of pounds a year on a 'Martyrs Fund". This pays monthly salaries to the families of Palestinians who have died or are in jail for carrying out attacks on Israelis. A prisoner's pay increases the longer the jail term. The families of those serving 30 years or more can get up to 3,400 US dollars - the equivalent of £2,500. Read More on World News SUBS SNUB Russia dismisses Trump's warning of sending nuclear subs closer to country The shocking revelations are contained in a dossier shared exclusively with The Sun on Sunday. They will spark fresh criticisms of Sir Keir Starmer's decision to recognise an independent state of Palestine in September unless Israel signs up to a peace process. Michael Rubin, Director of Labour Friends of Israel, backed the creation of a Palestinian state - but said the PA must clean up its act before it can be founded. He said that under leader Mahmoud Abbas the PA is 'authoritarian, riddled with corruption, and commits shocking human rights abuses'. He added: 'The PA must clean up its act if we're going to recognise a Palestinian state. 'We need to tell it to abolish the morally repugnant payment of 'salaries' to terrorists, quit glorifying suicide bombers in schoolkids' books, and stop naming its schools after Nazi collaborators.' Hamas vows no peace unless key demand is met as thugs share sick clip of hostage The PA's South Hebron Directorate of Education posted a photo of a children's book about female suicide bomber Hanadi Jaradat. She killed 21 Israelis and injured over 50 more when she blew herself up at a restaurant in Haifa in 2003. In another shocking example, a grade 5 textbook Palestinian terrorist Dalal al-Mughrabi is celebrated for her heroism. She carried out the 1978 Coastal Road massacre which killed 38 Israelis, including 13 children. Earlier this year, Mr Abbas said he will end payments to the families of Palestinian 'martyrs'. The PM has defended his decision to set the UK on a course to recognise Palestine. Speaking earlier this week, he said: 'We do need to do everything we can to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where we are seeing the children and babies starving for want of aid which could be delivered. 'That is why I've said unless things materially change on the ground, we'll have to assess this in September, we will recognise Palestine before the United Nations general assembly in September.'
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Benjamin Netanyahu under increasing pressure to accept Gaza ceasefire amid famine
Intelligence analysis reveals Israel's aid blockade and constant air attacks on Gaza have backfired, leaving Benjamin Netanyahu nearer isolation from his ally, the US Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu is facing rising pressure to accept a ceasefire because of the famine horror in Gaza. Intelligence analysis reveals Israel 's aid blockade and constant air attacks have backfired leaving him nearer isolation from his ally, the US. The Soufan Centre, run by Middle East expert Ali Souffan, says he 'is coming under broad pressure to wind down Israel's military involvement in Gaza' as US President Donald Trump draws back from his support because of the famine. 'Trump has not urged him to end the war,' says the independent analysis organisation's report. 'But he has broken with him on the humanitarian situation.' The report adds that Mr Trump's aides 'appear to be pressing on with efforts to forge another temporary ceasefire'. It came as a United Nations Food Security panel claimed 'the worst-case scenario of famine is playing out in the Strip'. Meanwhile there was more anguish in Gaza yesterday as hospitals reported the killing of at least 18 people by Israeli fire, eight of them food-seekers. Close to a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution site, Yahia Youssef, looking for aid, described how he helped carry out three people with gunshot wounds. He said he saw many others lying on the ground bleeding. 'It's the same daily episode,' Mr Youssef said. The GHF media office said 'nothing [happened] at or near our sites'. It came a day after US officials visited one site and the US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called the GHF's distribution 'an incredible feat'. International outrage has mounted as the group's efforts to deliver aid to hunger-stricken Gaza have been marred by violence and controversy.
