Latest news with #Scotch
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Trump flies back to the US after whirlwind trip to Scotland
Donald Trump has left for the US after a whirlwind four-day trip to president mixed business with pleasure in the "private visit", agreeing a major trade deal and meeting the UK and Scottish heads of government in between rounds of golf. While promoting his two golf courses in Turnberry and Menie, he agreed a deal with the president of the EU Commission - reducing EU tariffs from 30% to 15% for exports to the also discussed topics including whisky tariffs and the situation in Gaza in meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scotland's First Minister John Swinney. Trump flew in on the presidential plane Air Force One on Friday night declaring "it's great to be in Scotland".He was then swept away to his Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire in a motorcade consisting of more than two dozen vehicles, flanked by Police Scotland vehicles and ambulance crews. The trip was not without the president's trademark provocative had barely left the plane at Prestwick Airport when he turned to a group of journalists and reiterated his distaste for wind farms, declaring "stop the windmills - you're ruining your countries".His company, Trump International, previously lost a long-running court battle to stop a major wind power development being built in the North Sea off argued that the project, which included 11 wind turbines, would spoil the view from his golf course at Menie in his trip, President Trump has been keen to remind everyone that he has Scottish roots - his mother was from Stornoway - and frequently declared his love for the Anne MacLeod, was born in 1912 on the island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides and left during the Great Depression for New York where she married property developer Fred Trump. After a round of golf at Turnberry on Saturday, Trump met the European Commission President Ursula Von von der Leyen. Before the talks began he said he was "not in a good mood".However the pair came to an agreement, setting the US tariffs on goods from Europe at 15% across the European Union had been facing a 30% levy on its exports to the US from 1 Monday, the president and prime minister held a meeting at Turnberry, where Starmer presented the president with a European-led peace plan for Gaza before they held a media two men then flew to Lossiemouth on Air Force One before taking the presidential helicopter to the Trump International golf resort in Aberdeenshire. Swinney had dinner with Trump for about two hours on Monday night, when the first minister made the case for exempting Scotch whisky from US was followed by a shorter discussion on Tuesday morning, focused on what Swinney said was the "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza. After the meeting, a Scottish government source said the two leaders had a "very good conversation". Speaking about their discussion on whisky tariffs, Swinney said: "When the president came to Scotland at the end of last week, I think his view was that the trade deal with the UK was done and dusted."I was setting out to him a very unique circumstance around Scotch whisky which can only be produced in Scotland."It's not something that can be relocated somewhere else."I was pointing out the significance of that point and appealing to his sentiment about being very positive about Scotland - which he is - to try to get to a better position." Asked about his relationship with Mr Trump, Swinney said there had been "very good and courteous" conversations between the pair."I think we talked well about the issues that matter to the people of Scotland," he said."He has a deep affinity with Scotland, so he's got a warmth and an empathy towards Scotland and he was interested in all the issues that I was raising about Scotland."So I think we had a very welcome opportunity to engage in dialogue and to build a relationship." President Trump opened a new 18-hole course at Menie and had a quick round of golf before leaving for Lossiemouth on the presidential helicopter Marine Force. He then departed for the US on Air Force said he was returning to Washington DC to "put out fires all over the world"."We've stopped about five wars. That's much more important than playing golf," he his visit, a major security operation has been under way in South Ayrshire and of officers were drafted in from other UK forces support Police Scotland and road closures and diversions were put in place, along with security of protesters gathered in Aberdeen and Edinburgh however Trump supporters also greeted the Trump will return to the UK in September for a state visit, when he will stay with the King at Windsor Castle.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Trump slams at North Sea taxes
Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on the high taxes imposed on North Sea firms on the final day of his visit to Scotland. The US President tore into the Labour Government's windfall tax on oil and gas firms and its block on new licenses just a day after he held talks with the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He also said that the UK could make a 'fortune' if it incentivized drilling. Mr Trump concluded his visit to Scotland by opening a new golf course in Aberdeenshire, where he also held talks with the First Minister John Swinney, before playing a round of golf and then flying back to the US on Air Force One. Writing on his Truth Social social media site, he said: 'North Sea Oil is a TREASURE CHEST for the United Kingdom. 'The taxes are so high, however, that it makes no sense. They have essentially told drillers and oil companies that, 'we don't want you.' 'Incentivize the drillers, FAST. A VAST FORTUNE TO BE MADE for the UK, and far lower energy costs for the people!' The latest attack comes after Mr Trump said he wants Scotland to 'thrive' when pressed on his punishing tariffs on Scotch whisky exports to the US. During his visit, he repeatedly referred to Aberdeen as the 'oil capital of Europe' and also made the case for more drilling. Sir Keir's Labour government has imposed a ban on new oil and gas licences as well as increasing the windfall tax on North Sea profits to 38 percent, and extended it to 2030. The approach since Labour came to power has sparked fears about the threat to tens of thousands of North Sea jobs. The President raised his view that there should be more oil and gas activity and also condemned the expansion of wind farms during his private talks with the First Minister John Swinney yesterday. Following the talks, Mr Swinney said: 'He obviously expressed his view that there should be more oil and gas activity undertaken. 'I've seen material from the President this morning which raises issues about taxation, which of course are not under my control, I don't have any influence over North Sea oil and gas taxation, and obviously the President made clear his view that he's not a supporter of wind turbines, and I expressed the view that we have about our energy priorities and renewable energy.' Mr Swinney was in the audience as Mr Trump formally opened the second course at the Trump International Golf Links on the Menie estate in Aberdeenshire yesterday, as well as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and Tory Shadow Scottish Secretary Andrew Bowie. The event was also attended by a string of sporting celebrities including the former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and former footballers Robbie Fowler, Andriy Shevchenko, Jim Leighton and Gianfranco Zola. The President also presented a framed photo collage to a tearful Sarah Malone, Executive Vice President and general manager of Trump international Golf Links In his speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mr Trump said he has 'put out fires all over the world' and claimed he had 'stopped about five wars' during his visit on Monday. On the US trade deal with the UK, he said: 'It's a very big deal and a great deal for the country and a great deal for everybody, so I just want to thank him (Sir Keir) and everybody that worked so hard on it. They've been trying to get it done for 12 years, we got it done so somebody did a good job.' Scottish Conservative net zero and energy spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: 'The SNP and Labour governments' hostility to North Sea oil and gas is economic and environmental madness, which other countries can't fathom. 'They can see it is making the country poorer, endangering our energy security and destroying livelihoods. 'The policies of these two Left-wing governments are costing an estimated 400 jobs a fortnight – all while making us more reliant on imported energy from overseas. 'Labour and the SNP should abandon their dogmatic opposition to new fields, and heed Kemi Badenoch's call to ditch the energy price levy, rather than throwing Scotland's world-leading energy sector under the bus.' Responding to Mr Trump's comments on oil and gas, Anas Sarwar said: 'We have a different view on renewables, we agree that oil and gas has got a significant role to play in our energy mix for decades to come. 'That is significant for us here in Scotland but also for the broader UK and what we have to do is get the balance right between imposing a windfall tax, which I wholeheartedly support, that recognizes that we have got to recognize that there are sky-high energy bills but also sky-high profits for many energy companies and people want to see that imbalance addressed.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Donald Trump launches attack on North Sea taxes on final day of visit to Scotland
Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on the high taxes imposed on North Sea firms on the final day of his visit to Scotland. The US President tore into the Labour Government's windfall tax on oil and gas firms and its block on new licences just a day after he held talks with the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He also said that the UK could make a 'fortune' if it incentivised drilling. Mr Trump concluded his visit to Scotland by opening a new golf course in Aberdeenshire, where he also held talks with the First Minister John Swinney, before playing a round of golf and then flying back to the US on Air Force One. Writing on his Truth Social social media site, he said: 'North Sea Oil is a TREASURE CHEST for the United Kingdom. 'The taxes are so high, however, that it makes no sense. They have essentially told drillers and oil companies that, 'we don't want you.' 'Incentivize the drillers, FAST. A VAST FORTUNE TO BE MADE for the UK, and far lower energy costs for the people!' The latest attack comes after Mr Trump said he wants Scotland to 'thrive' when pressed on his punishing tariffs on Scotch whisky exports to the US. During his visit, he repeatedly referred to Aberdeen as the 'oil capital of Europe' and also made the case for more drilling. Sir Keir's Labour government has imposed a ban on new oil and gas licences as well as increasing the windfall tax on North Sea profits to 38 per cent, and extended it to 2030. The approach since Labour came to power has sparked fears about the threat to tens of thousands of North Sea jobs. The President raised his view that there should be more oil and gas activity and also condemned the expansion of wind farms during his private talks with the First Minister John Swinney yesterday. Following the talks, Mr Swinney said: 'He obviously expressed his view that there should be more oil and gas activity undertaken. 'I've seen material from the President this morning which raises issues about taxation, which of course are not under my control, I don't have any influence over North Sea oil and gas taxation, and obviously the President made clear his view that he's not a supporter of wind turbines, and I expressed the view that we have about our energy priorities and renewable energy.' Mr Swinney was in the audience as Mr Trump formally opened the second course at the Trump International Golf Links on the Menie estate in Aberdeenshire yesterday, as well as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and Tory Shadow Scottish Secretary Andrew Bowie. The event was also attended by a string of sporting celebrities including the former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and former footballers Robbie Fowler, Andriy Shevchenko, Jim Leighton and Gianfranco Zola. The President also presented a framed photo collage to a tearful Sarah Malone, Executive Vice President and general manager of Trump international Golf Links In his speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mr Trump said he has 'put out fires all over the world' and claimed he had 'stopped about five wars' during his visit on Monday. On the US trade deal with the UK, he said: 'It's a very big deal and a great deal for the country and a great deal for everybody, so I just want to thank him (Sir Keir) and everybody that worked so hard on it. They've been trying to get it done for 12 years, we got it done so somebody did a good job.' Scottish Conservative net zero and energy spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: 'The SNP and Labour governments' hostility to North Sea oil and gas is economic and environmental madness, which other countries can't fathom. 'They can see it is making the country poorer, endangering our energy security and destroying livelihoods. 'The policies of these two Left-wing governments are costing an estimated 400 jobs a fortnight – all while making us more reliant on imported energy from overseas. 'Labour and the SNP should abandon their dogmatic opposition to new fields, and heed Kemi Badenoch's call to ditch the energy price levy, rather than throwing Scotland's world-leading energy sector under the bus.' Responding to Mr Trump's comments on oil and gas, Anas Sarwar said: 'We have a different view on renewables, we agree that oil and gas has got a significant role to play in our energy mix for decades to come. 'That is significant for us here in Scotland but also for the broader UK and what we have to do is get the balance right between imposing a windfall tax, which I wholeheartedly support, that recognises that we have got to recognise that there are sky-high energy bills but also sky-high profits for many energy companies and people want to see that imbalance addressed. 'But we've also got to make sure that for all those sites that exist across the North Sea that are fully licensed, that can be explored but perhaps right now aren't being explored, is how do we maximise the investible propositions that allow people to do that. 'So we've got to get the balance right – I of course wouldn't agree with the way it is framed by the President.' President Trump and members of his family boarded Air Force One at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray. His helicopter Marine One had flown him to the base from the golf resort.
South Wales Guardian
6 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Trump showed ‘willingness' to move on whisky tariffs during meeting
Scotland's First Minister met the President ahead of the opening of a second course at his Aberdeenshire golf club, where he pressed him on the 10% levy on Scotland's national drink. The tariff, it is believed, costs the sector £4 million per week, with distillery bosses keen to reach an agreement as part of the US-UK trade deal. Speaking to the PA news agency after the opening of the course, the First Minister said: 'I think there's a willingness for President Trump to look at the issues that I've set out to him. 'I don't think that was the position a few days ago, because I think President Trump was of the view that the trade deal was done and dusted and that was an end of the matter.' Mr Swinney told Mr Trump Scotch whisky was 'unique' to Scotland and the tariff was a 'significant impediment'. 'I think there is an opportunity for us to make progress,' he added. 'I wouldn't have expected to be able to get an outcome in the course of the discussion I had yesterday and this morning with President Trump, but we will follow this up with the US administration, follow up with the United Kingdom Government, to make the progress that I think Scotland would expect on this matter.' The president was asked about whisky tariffs by journalists at his Ayrshire golf course on Monday, where he appeared not to know there was an issue. 'We'll talk about that, I didn't know whisky was a problem,' Mr Trump said. 'I'm not a big whisky drinker but maybe I should be.' Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said that the Prime Minister will not need much pressure to push the President on whisky tariffs. 'The great thing is, here, this is not a matter of putting pressure on the Prime Minister, because the Prime Minister already agrees and the Prime Minister recognises that we want to go even further on the deal we've already negotiated. 'It's a good deal for Scotland and the UK, but we want to go even further – and that's the conversations that continue.'
Powys County Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Donald Trump flies back to US after five-day visit to Scotland
Donald Trump has departed Scotland as his five-day visit comes to an end, with Air Force One taking off from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray. The president concluded his trip by opening a new golf course at his resort in Menie, Aberdeenshire, on Tuesday morning. After playing on the new course, he flew by helicopter to the RAF base. During his visit, he had earlier stayed at his other Scottish resort at Turnberry in South Ayrshire, where he enjoyed several rounds of golf. Despite the mostly private nature of the trip, he hosted Sir Keir Starmer at both resorts on Monday. EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also took part in a meeting with him at Turnberry on Sunday. As Mr Trump cut the ribbon on the new course in Aberdeenshire, he said he would play a quick round before returning to Washington to 'put out fires all over the world'. The US president teed off in front of an invited crowd including golfers, football stars, Scottish First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Just before hitting the first ball at the New Course, the US president told those gathered on a grandstand: 'We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful.' Mr Trump added: 'I look forward to playing it today. 'We'll play it very quickly and then I go back to DC and we put out fires all over the world. 'We did one yesterday – you know we stopped the war. We've stopped about five wars. 'That's much more important than playing golf. As much as I like it, it's much more important.' The president met First Minister Mr Swinney on Monday evening at a private dinner, and the two had a more formal meeting on Tuesday ahead of the course opening. This meeting focused on Scotch whisky tariffs and the situation in Gaza. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the First Minister said Mr Trump had showed a 'willingness' to move on tariffs for Scotch whisky. He told the PA news agency: 'I think there's a willingness for President Trump to look at the issues that I've set out to him. 'I don't think that was the position a few days ago, because I think President Trump was of the view that the trade deal was done and dusted and that was an end of the matter.' Mr Swinney told Mr Trump that Scotch whisky was 'unique' to Scotland and the tariff was a 'significant impediment'. During the last day of his visit, Mr Trump also hit out at the UK's taxes on North Sea oil, saying the natural resource is a 'treasure chest' for the country. During the trip – his first since 2023 and first since winning re-election – Mr Trump repeatedly referred to Aberdeen as 'the oil capital of Europe'. During a lengthy media event alongside Sir Keir on Monday, Mr Trump spoke of his 'great love' for Scotland and said he wanted to see the nation 'thrive'. A number of protests against the president's visit took place around Scotland during his time in the country. On Monday afternoon, a small number gathered in the nearby village of Balmedie in Aberdeenshire, sitting by the roadside and holding anti-Trump placards.
