Trump's Scotland trip could be awkward for PM — here's what to expect
• Trump's links to Scotland — from golf courses to family history
Thousands of police officers will be present and the full cost of policing the trip is likely to be more than £10 million, based on previous Trump visits.Sir Keir Starmer will meet the president at Turnberry on Monday, with a formal bilateral meeting and lunch. The White House expects them both to head to Menie, where the US president is expected to play a round of golf to mark the opening of his new course. Given that Starmer has little or no interest in golf, it could be an awkward affair. And as ever with Trump, it is a case of expecting the unexpected.
At the centre of the agenda for talks between Starmer and Trump will be trade. The White House said that it wanted to 'refine' the deal hammered out between the nations this year, but what does that mean in practice?
Starmer has two priorities, the first of which is removing 25 per cent tariffs on steel exports to the US. There has been a disagreement about the types of steel that would be covered by a zero-tariff quota system, with a discussion over whether imported steel should be covered. The US has also been seeking assurances over British Steel, still formally owned by the Chinese Jingye Group, amid concerns that it could provide Beijing with a back door into the US market. Officials say there has been significant progress in both areas and a deal is expected. The other significant issue is pharmaceuticals. Trump has threatened to levy import duties of up to 200 per cent on drugs coming into the US. Given that the UK exports pharmaceuticals worth £9 billion a year to the US, this is a major cause for concern.
A top priority for Starmer will be to ensure that Trump follows through on his dramatic shift of position towards Ukraine. A few months after his disastrous Oval Office bust-up with President Zelensky, Trump is now condemning Russia and saying that he is 'very unhappy' with President Putin for failing to honour his promises. 'He talks nice and then bombs everybody in the evening,' Trump said recently of his Russian counterpart. Trump has now pledged to send 'top of the line weapons' worth 'billions of dollars' to Europe to help defend Ukraine, while threatening tariffs on countries that trade with Russia. Given Trump's inconsistency, Starmer's priority will be to ensure that this rhetorical shift translates to reliable support for Kyiv.
Trump has recently been increasing pressure on Israel to shift approach after reacting badly to what the White House described as 'pictures of starvation of women and children' in Gaza. He has shown clear signs of losing patience with Binyamin Netanyahu, months after tweeting an AI depiction of him relaxing with the Israeli prime minister in a 'Trump Gaza' resort. This presents Starmer with a question about how much political capital to deploy in persuading the president to help force a ceasefire. This week the prime minister described the situation in Gaza as 'intolerable on so many levels' and is facing increasing pressure from the left to do more, including recognising a Palestinian state. However judging how far to push Trump, given the president's long-standing support for Israel, is a delicate calculation.
Trump has repeatedly raised his fears over migration in Britain and more widely in Europe, saying that mass migration had created a 'total mess' that the US should learn from. He has said that London in particular is 'no longer recognisable' due to immigration and that it was 'changing the culture' of Europe, including Britain.Trump could be asked whether he still considers parts of London 'no-go zones' — a claim he made in 2015 as he said that parts of the capital had been so radicalised that police were afraid to go there, which would reignite his longstanding feud with Sir Sadiq Khan, the London mayor.
• What Trump protesters are preparing for his 'welcome' to Scotland
In the present climate Trump may have a view on the protests outside asylum hotels and the broader issue of social cohesion. Downing Street will be wary.
Trump's administration has deep concerns about the state of free speech in the UK, with officials accusing Britain of 'trampling democracy' and becoming a 'hotbed of digital censorship'. The White House has 'monitored' the case of Lucy Connolly, who was jailed for social media posts over the Southport riots, while JD Vance, the vice-president, has criticised bans on praying outside abortion clinics as infringing religious rights. Vance used his Munich Security Conference speech to claim that 'freedom of expression was 'in retreat' across Britain and wider Europe', directly singling out Starmer.The Online Safety Act, which comes into effect on Friday, has been a particular target of criticism with the US State Department saying that it had 'concern about the spill-over effects that impact free speech in America'.
For the president, golf is a serious business and that poses some tricky challenges for Starmer, who does not play.
For a start, Trump faces lingering local anger outside Aberdeen over claims he never made good on promises of lucrative development made when he bought the Menie Estate in 2006. Then there is the diplomatic headache of Trump's demand that his other Scottish course, Turnberry, host the Open championship. The British government is said to have interceded with golf's government body the R&A on this issue but will be wary of lobbying for special favours to please a foreign head of state. Unlike Finland's president Alexander Stubb, who wowed Trump with his golf prowess, Starmer has been unable to rely on his putting skills to forge a relationship. Indeed, the only cabinet minister with a serviceable golf game is said to be Lord Hermer. The attorney-general and international law enthusiast, who is unlikely to gel with the president, is not being deployed on the links.
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Glasgow Times
13 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
It's great to be here, I love standing on the soil of Scotland, Trump says
Ian Murray told the PA news agency what the US President's first words were after disembarking from Air Force One in Prestwick. The UK Government minister was the first person to greet the president in Scotland as he begins his visit to the country. Speaking after meeting the American leader, Mr Murray told PA: 'The president came off the flight, and I said, 'Mr president, welcome to Scotland – the home country of your dear mother', and he said, 'It's great to be here, I always love standing on the soil of Scotland'. 'I said, 'I hope you're looking forward to a bit of downtime with some golf this weekend', and he said, 'Yes'. And I said, 'Well, we've whipped up a bit of a wind for you to make it a bit more competitive', and he went, 'I'm looking forward to it'.' Mr Murray said Mr Trump was given a warm reception as he got off his presidential plane. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said Donald Trump received a warm welcome (Ben Whitley/PA) Hundreds gathered on the Mound overlooking Prestwick Airport for the president's arrival. A Trump flag was flown while a few spectators wore 'Make America Great Again' hats, although many of those attending were locals and aviation enthusiasts, including some who had travelled from England. Mr Murray said: 'Spotters hills, as it's called, where all the plane spotters come to Prestwick, was absolutely full. 'You could see that from the tarmac and as Air Force One came in, people were snapping away on their photographs. 'To see all that happening is quite a spectacle in itself. 'It's really good to have that kind of focus on Scotland.' Hundreds gathered at Prestwick Airport as the president landed (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Trump will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his trip to discuss the UK-US trade deal as Britain hopes to be spared from the president's tariff regime. The Scottish Secretary said: 'Really, the purpose of this weekend, the purpose of greeting the president off the plane, the purpose of the Prime Minister's relationship with the president is to build that close relationship, to make sure that that old alliance is nurtured, and to do that for the benefit of the national interest, which is about jobs and growth here in the UK, and particularly Scotland.' Mr Trump will meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney during his trip as he opens a new golf course in Aberdeenshire. Before flying to Prestwick, Mr Trump said in Washington that he was 'looking forward' to meeting Mr Swinney, describing him as a 'good man' – the same phrase he used for the Prime Minister after landing in Scotland. US President Donald Trump was taken to Turnberry via motorcade (Robert Perry/PA) Asked about the president's relationship with the UK, Mr Murray said: 'The Prime Minister has taken a very pragmatic approach to the relationship with the president of the United States, because it's in our national interest to do so, whether it be on defence, security, trade, cultural, historic ties. 'It's a historic alliance, and that alliance has to be nurtured and continue through to the future, because it's quite clear that our relationship with United States is good for jobs and growth here in Scotland and across the UK. 'The Prime Minister knows that, and knows that working very closely with the US is in our national interest.' Asked about protests, which are expected across the country, Mr Murray said people had a right to demonstrate, adding: 'Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom to protest is a key cornerstone of both countries, America and the UK, and the right to be able to protest if they so wish to so.'
Western Telegraph
17 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Starmer rejects calls for Palestinian statehood as Trump flies to the UK
Some 221 MPs have signed a letter urging the British Government to recognise the state of Palestine at a meeting of the UN next week. The UK would follow in the footsteps of France if it did, though Mr Trump claimed French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement was 'not going to change anything' ahead of flying to the UK on Friday. The appalling scenes in Gaza are unrelenting. The UK will pull every lever we have to get food and lifesaving support to Palestinians, and we will evacuate children who need urgent medical assistance. This humanitarian catastrophe must end. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 25, 2025 Sarah Champion, a senior Labour MP who co-ordinated the cross-party letter, said recognition 'would send a powerful symbolic message that we support the rights of the Palestinian people'. While the PM said he was 'unequivocal' about wanting to see a Palestinian state, he insisted this needed to be part of a 'wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis'. The UK and its allies must work together to broker a peace, he added, likening the effort to the coalition of the willing to support Ukraine. Sir Keir is expected to meet Mr Trump on Monday, as the US president stays in Scotland ahead of a full state visit later this year. President Donald Trump speaks to the media after he arrived at Prestwick Airport in Scotland (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) On Friday evening, amid mounting global anger over the starving population in Gaza, the Prime Minister also suggested the UK will play a role in dropping aid into Gaza by air. He welcomed that Israel said it would allow aid to be delivered by parachute to alleviate starvation in Gaza. The Prime Minister said the step had 'come far too late', but he insisted the UK will 'do everything we can to get aid in via this route'. I know the British people are sickened by what is happening. The images of starvation and desperation are utterly horrifying Sir Keir Starmer Britain is already working alongside Jordan to get aid onto planes, the PM signalled, also adding that children from Gaza in need of specialist medical care will be evacuated to the UK for treatment. In a video statement released on Friday, Sir Keir made plain his desire for a ceasefire. He said: 'I know the British people are sickened by what is happening. The images of starvation and desperation are utterly horrifying. 'The denial of aid to children and babies is completely unjustifiable, just as the continued captivity of hostages is completely unjustifiable.' An Israeli soldier stands beside humanitarian aid packages (AP) Meanwhile, in a statement released alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and France's Mr Macron, the Prime Minister urged Israel to stop restricting the flow of aid into Gaza. A call between the three leaders was expected on Friday, but has been postponed until the weekend. US-led peace talks in Qatar were cut short on Thursday, with Washington's special envoy Steve Witkoff accusing Hamas of a 'lack of desire to reach a ceasefire'. The deal under discussion is expected to include a 60-day ceasefire, and aid supplies would be ramped up as negotiations on a lasting truce took place.
Rhyl Journal
43 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
It's great to be here, I love standing on the soil of Scotland, Trump says
Ian Murray told the PA news agency what the US President's first words were after disembarking from Air Force One in Prestwick. The UK Government minister was the first person to greet the president in Scotland as he begins his visit to the country. Speaking after meeting the American leader, Mr Murray told PA: 'The president came off the flight, and I said, 'Mr president, welcome to Scotland – the home country of your dear mother', and he said, 'It's great to be here, I always love standing on the soil of Scotland'. 'I said, 'I hope you're looking forward to a bit of downtime with some golf this weekend', and he said, 'Yes'. And I said, 'Well, we've whipped up a bit of a wind for you to make it a bit more competitive', and he went, 'I'm looking forward to it'.' Mr Murray said Mr Trump was given a warm reception as he got off his presidential plane. Hundreds gathered on the Mound overlooking Prestwick Airport for the president's arrival. A Trump flag was flown while a few spectators wore 'Make America Great Again' hats, although many of those attending were locals and aviation enthusiasts, including some who had travelled from England. Mr Murray said: 'Spotters hills, as it's called, where all the plane spotters come to Prestwick, was absolutely full. 'You could see that from the tarmac and as Air Force One came in, people were snapping away on their photographs. 'To see all that happening is quite a spectacle in itself. 'It's really good to have that kind of focus on Scotland.' Mr Trump will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his trip to discuss the UK-US trade deal as Britain hopes to be spared from the president's tariff regime. The Scottish Secretary said: 'Really, the purpose of this weekend, the purpose of greeting the president off the plane, the purpose of the Prime Minister's relationship with the president is to build that close relationship, to make sure that that old alliance is nurtured, and to do that for the benefit of the national interest, which is about jobs and growth here in the UK, and particularly Scotland.' Mr Trump will meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney during his trip as he opens a new golf course in Aberdeenshire. Before flying to Prestwick, Mr Trump said in Washington that he was 'looking forward' to meeting Mr Swinney, describing him as a 'good man' – the same phrase he used for the Prime Minister after landing in Scotland. Asked about the president's relationship with the UK, Mr Murray said: 'The Prime Minister has taken a very pragmatic approach to the relationship with the president of the United States, because it's in our national interest to do so, whether it be on defence, security, trade, cultural, historic ties. 'It's a historic alliance, and that alliance has to be nurtured and continue through to the future, because it's quite clear that our relationship with United States is good for jobs and growth here in Scotland and across the UK. 'The Prime Minister knows that, and knows that working very closely with the US is in our national interest.' Asked about protests, which are expected across the country, Mr Murray said people had a right to demonstrate, adding: 'Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom to protest is a key cornerstone of both countries, America and the UK, and the right to be able to protest if they so wish to so.'
