Bring back oil and ditch the windmills, says Trump
He famously fell out with the Scottish Government in 2012 after the late First Minister Alex Salmond backed plans for wind turbines off the coast of the businessman's Menie Estate. And he has remained a vocal opponent of wind farms and forms of greener energy forms in and out of the White House ever since.
The president backed fossil fuels over 'detrimental' wind power projects as he said he'll meet Sir Keir for talks in the European 'oil capital' ahead of his official state visit in September. Downing Street confirmed on Monday the Prime Minister will travel to Scotland to meet Mr Trump during his visit. The American already owns two golf courses north of the Border, including the one in Menie and Turnberry, in Ayrshire, where he is thought to be staying during his visit.
He confirmed last year his latest venture, named MacLeod Course after his mother Mary, who was born on the Isle of Lewis, was due to open this summer. Ahead of his trip over, Mr Trump described Britain as a 'great place' and a 'true ally' of the United States. Speaking about Sir Keir, he told BBC News: 'I really like the Prime Minister a lot, even though he's a liberal.'
Campaigners at Uplift, which wants to see a rapid switch away from oil and gas towards renewable energy, criticised the president. Executive director Tessa Khan said: 'Donald Trump clearly knows nothing about the North Sea other than the view from his golf course. 'After 60 years of drilling, the UK has burned almost all of its gas and what is left is oil, most of which the UK exports, which contributes nothing to making sure the UK has an affordable supply of energy.
'More oil and gas drilling would not only lock us into an expensive energy source for far longer than is necessary, it will also contribute to the climate impacts - the wildfires, droughts and floods - that we're now seeing every year.' As well as meeting Sir Keir during his visit to Scotland, the president will also meet the First Minister.
Scottish Labour's deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said John Swinney should use the event to ensure Scotland gets a better trade deal with the U.S. rather than spent his time 'talking up the country'. Mr Trump will also make a historic, second state visit to the UK later on in the autumn and was asked if Parliament should be recalled from its summer break so he can address MPs.
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