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UPI
3 days ago
- Business
- UPI
Trump opens new golf course, meets with Scottish first minister
July 29 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump opened his latest golf course and held talks with Scottish First Minister John Swinney as he concluded his trip to Scotland on Tuesday. Appearing at the Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen with his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, and Swinney, Trump spoke with the media before cutting the ribbon to mark the grand opening. Trump noted that after playing the course, he would head back to the United States to "put out fires all over the world." "We did one yesterday, as you know, we stopped the war," he said Tuesday in reference to a cease-fire that had been arranged between Thailand and Cambodia, despite Thailand announcing Tuesday that Cambodia violated that cease-fire only hours later. "That's much more important than playing golf," Trump added. "As much as I like it, it's much more important." It was Trump's second day of golf on this trip, as he played Monday at his resort in Turnberry, Scotland, where he had met with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Swinney was reportedly seeking to speak with Trump about the 10% tariff levied by Trump on U.K. exports to the United States, specifically in regard to the alcoholic beverage Scotch. Scotch makes up 25% of all the U.K.'s food and drink exports, according to the Scotch Whisky Association. The BBC reported Tuesday that Trump and Swinney discussed whisky "at length," and that a Scottish government source said there was a "window of opportunity" between this visit Trump's next scheduled visit to the U.K. in September to make progress on shrinking the tariff.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
John Swinney, Donald Trump and the £4m whisky question
When he came to cut the ribbon at his new course, he asked the SNP leader to stand up in front of the dignitaries, golfers and journalists gathered in the first tee grand stand. 'The First Minister is here. John, would you stand up?" the President said. "John Swinney is a terrific guy who loves golf, loves the people of this country, and we really appreciated it. Thank you for everything, John.' Some praise from Mr Trump for someone who very publicly endorsed his rival in last year's election and subsequently called for his state visit to be cancelled. When the Scottish press pack asked about this previously unknown love of the game, the First Minister replied: 'Well, I'm aware of golf.' READ MORE It turns out that at the dinner on Monday — where he sat on one side of the President and the Prime Minister on the other — he told Mr Trump about his son Matthew's passion for the sport, and how he often acts as his caddy. He even showed the President a video of Matthew playing a shot. Mr Trump told him his son had a 'beautiful swing'. There was, a government source said, a lot of chat about golf on Monday. But there was also, crucially, talk about whisky and tariffs. Very recently, the Isle of Harris distillery — located just 35 miles from Tong, where Trump's mother, Mary Ann MacLeod, was born — announced some redundancies, in part because of the tariffs. There is a real fear that this is a situation that could be replicated all over the country. Scotch makes up a quarter of all UK food and drink exports, according to the Scotch Whisky Association — a market worth £971 million in 2024. The tariffs are already costing the industry £4m a week. John Swinney at Trump's course (Image: Colin Mearns/NQ) It's fair to say the President was not aware of the difficulties facing the sector until his impromptu press conference on the steps of Turnberry, where STV's political editor, Colin Mackay, asked him about it. There is, a government source said, now a window open. There is work here for the UK Government, the SWA, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States — and the Scottish Government too. The President has urged Mr Swinney to follow up. The First Minister said he did, promptly, with the US Ambassador to the UK, Warren A. Stephens. READ MORE That dinner also meant, the source said, there was a rapport when the FM had his proper talks with the President on Tuesday morning. It meant he could talk about Gaza and properly share the horror of the people of Scotland at the situation. There has been, quite understandably, some anger over the cost of hosting the President of the United States in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire. The policing operation is understandably massive. Some estimates suggest it could leave the taxpayer with a bill in the millions, possibly even more that £10m. Could a deal on whisky make it all worthwhile?
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Donald Trump deflects calls to look again at tariff on Scotch whisky
Donald Trump has deflected calls to look again at a 10 per cent tariff he has imposed on whisky exports to the US despite emphasising his love for Scotland. Speaking before talks with Sir Keir Starmer at his Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire, he said they planned to discuss Scotch whisky tariffs and he wanted to make the Prime Minister 'happy.' But, in a joint press conference afterwards, he said 'a lot' of the benefits of the trade deal he has reached with the UK 'comes to Scotland' and he wanted the country to 'thrive'. He gave no commitment to revisiting the tariff despite emphasising his and his mother Mary's love of Scotland. She was born and brought up on the Hebridean island of Lewis but emigrated to New York. The US has long been Scotch whisky 's biggest market by value, with £971m of sales last year. It is estimated the tariff is costing the industry, which is the UK's most valuable food and drink export, about £4m a week. Mr Trump hit Scotch whisky with a 25 per cent tariff in 2019, during his first term, a move that cost the industry £600m. The charges were repealed 18 months later. Although the 10 per cent tariff on most UK goods is the lowest rate of any US trading partner, the Scotch Whisky Association has said it was 'disappointed' by the move. Asked about the charge, Mr Trump said: 'Well we'll talk about that. I didn't know whisky was a problem. I'm not a big whisky drinker. But maybe I should be one.' He added: 'Well, we're going to take a look at it.' Although a bagpiper made it difficult to hear some of his remarks, the president said: 'We want to make the Prime Minister happy.' Asked about the tariff after the talks, Mr Trump said: 'I have great love for Scotland. My mother loved Scotland, and she loved the Queen [Elizabeth II].' He said he travels abroad and meets heads of state, 'but it's different when your mother was born here'. Pressed again if there was a better deal to be done for whisky trade given his love of Scotland, Mr Trump said: 'I assume when we do our trade deal overall, a lot of it comes to Scotland. I hope maybe all of it should go to Scotland! 'A lot of it comes to Scotland and I was very particular about this. This is a part of the world I want to see thrive. It's going to thrive.' Sir Keir said: 'We have already achieved great things on the deal, and we'll achieve even more as we work together.' Mr Trump and Sir Keir were scheduled to fly to the president's golf resort in Aberdeenshire, where John Swinney, the First Minister, was expected to join them for a private ceremonial dinner. Mr Swinney said he also planned to argue for the abolition of the whisky tariff during discussions with the president, which are scheduled to take place on Tuesday. He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: 'Tariffs are very important for the Scottish economy and obviously scotch whisky is a unique product. 'It can only be produced in Scotland. It's not a product that can be produced in any other part of the world. So there's a uniqueness about that, which I think means there is a case for it to be taken out of the tariffs arrangement that is now in place.'
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scotch whisky hopes rise after Trump pledges to talk tariffs
The threat of further damage to Scotch whisky exports has hung heavily over the industry since April, when the President slapped a 10% baseline tariff on UK goods entering the US, and it is not surprising. Shipments of single malt Scotch whisky to the US are understood to have been hit by around £600 million by a 25% import tariff during the first Trump presidency, and the second wave of tariffs has already sent shockwaves across a sector already reeling from a downturn in global demand. Diageo, Scotland's biggest producer of Scotch whisky, has felt the impact as much as anyone in the sector, warning in May that US tariffs could hit profits by $150 million per year. Tariffs have compounded an already challenging global trading picture for the Johnnie Walker maker which has seen it – and other major distillers - grapple with 'geopolitical and macroeconomic volatility' in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. It was unenviable set of circumstances that ultimately contributed to Diageo parting company with chief executive Debra Crew earlier this month. Read more: Today's talks between Mr Trump and Sir [[Keir Starmer]] will naturally cover a wide range of topics, with the crises in Gaza and Ukraine likely to be at the top of the agenda. But the pledge to discuss tariffs has been seized upon by the Scotch Whisky Association and its US counterpart the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, given the close ties between distillers here and those across the Atlantic. Industry figures have been hoping that both Sir Keir and Scotland's First Minister John Swinney would emphasise the 'symbiotic relationship' between Scotch and the American bourbon sector during their meetings with the US President this week. [[Whisky]] distillers here are expected to import more than $1.2 billion of ex-bourbon casks for maturing Scotch over the course of Mr Trump's current term. Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, and Chris Swonger, chief executive of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States said in a statement: "The President's commitment this afternoon to look at the tariffs on Scotch whisky ahead of his meeting with the Prime Minister is very welcome. "The Scotch whisky and US whiskey industries are close partners, and we stand shoulder to shoulder on the issue of tariffs, calling for a permanent return to zero for zero trade which has driven the success of our industries. 'We look forward to the delivery of a deal which secures zero tariff trade for our products on both sides of the Atlantic." A breakthrough on US tariffs would provide a further boost to the Scotch whisky industry following the signing last week of a free trade agreement between the UK and India. The deal is expected to bring about a significant increase in Scotch whisky exports to India through a reduction in import tariffs. Jean-Etienne Gourgues, chairman and chief executive of Chivas Brothers said: 'Signature of the UK-India FTA is a sign of hope in challenging times for the spirits industry. India is the world's biggest whisky market by volume and greater access will be an eventual game changer for the export of our Scotch whisky brands, such as Chivas Regal and Ballantine's.'
Press and Journal
4 days ago
- Business
- Press and Journal
Donald Trump live updates: US President and Keir Starmer to travel to Aberdeenshire today
Donald Trump is set to travel to his Aberdeenshire golf course today, accompanied by Keir Starmer. The US President, who spent the weekend at his Turnberry resort in Ayrshire, is believed to be flying to RAF Lossiemouth at around 4.20pm. He is then expected to travel to Trump International Scotland, his golf resort on Menie Estate in Balmedie. Trump will be accompanied by the Prime Minister, who will meet him to discuss a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the war in Ukraine at Turnberry today. The pair will then travel together to the Aberdeenshire resort for a 'private engagement'. Trump's arrival in Aberdeenshire is set to be met with protests, including a 'festival of resistance' near the Menie course this afternoon. Tomorrow, Trump will open Menie's second course, which is set to be named after his mother Mary Anne MacLeod, who was from Lewis. A huge police and security operation is underway, with hundreds of officers drafted in from across the country and airspace restrictions in place. There are also road closures around Balmedie and RAF Lossiemouth. Follow The Press and Journal as we bring you updates on President Donald Trump's visit to Aberdeenshire. The whisky industry, with a high concentration of jobs close to Trump's Aberdeenshire course, hopes to have its concerns heard today. Mr Trump drew global outrage when he slapped big trade tariffs including 10% on the UK. Mark Kent, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive, tells the P&J the industry is volatile. 'President Trump's visit to Scotland is a critical moment to start to turn that around,' he says. 'The President's ties to our country are well-publicised: his mother was Scottish, his businesses invest across Scotland, he cares deeply about Scotland. So, the next couple of days are a great opportunity to strike a deal which works for Scotland.' The 10% tariff on Scotch left distillers struggling, he says, with an annual hit worth more than £200 million. Speaking this morning, First Minister John Swinney says he wants to talk about it too. 'Tariffs are very important for the Scottish economy and obviously scotch whisky is a unique product,' he told BBC Breakfast. 'It can only be produced in Scotland. It's not a product that can be produced in any other part of the world. So there's a uniqueness about that, which I think means there is a case for it to be taken out of the tariffs arrangement that is now in place.' Donald Trump is being asked to 'talk sense' into the prime minister on the future of oil and gas jobs when the pair meet in Aberdeenshire today. The US president will hold trade talks with Sir Keir Starmer, starting in Turnberry, Ayrshire, before the two leaders are expected to travel to the north-east. The prime minister has been under pressure to change course on policies for the crucial energy industry, including cutting a windfall tax on profits. And industry figures have been quick to seize on Mr Trump's vocal support for oil. Writing in the P&J today, Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, made a direct plea. 'When the pair get together to talk trade this afternoon, I am among those who hope the leader of the free world can talk some sense into his British counterpart.' You can read the full opinion piece here. The President started his day with a round of golf with his son Eric at his Turnberry course in Ayrshire. Wearing a white baseball cap branded 'USA', Mr Trump waved at journalists who shouted questions at him as he teed off. There were onlookers with placards with messages such as 'Don't trust Starmer', making their support for the President known. Later, he met with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to discuss a trade deal between the US and the EU. Reporters were under the impression that Trump was in a good mood heading into the meeting, and thus asked him as such. He replied: 'I'm actually not in a good mood, but I will tell you I think the chances are, yeah, I think Ursula would say, probably 50-50, of making a deal. 'I'd like to make a deal, I think it's good for both, but yeah, I'd say 50-50.' Asked why he was in a bad mood and whether it was related to his day playing golf, Mr Trump said: 'No, the golf was beautiful. Golf can never be bad… But no, I think I look forward to this meeting. 'You know, we've had a hard time with trade with Europe, very hard time, and I'd like to see it resolved. 'But if it isn't we'll, you know, have tariffs.' A deal was brokered during the meeting between the two. The US president shook hands on the deal with von der Leyen, saying: 'It's going to bring us closer together… it's a partnership in a sense.' Von der Leyen described the deal as 'huge', but it only came about after 'tough negotiations'. Trump is expected to meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Turnberry tomorrow, before the pair head to Trump International tomorrow. Follow along with our live blog to get the latest updates. Debra Storr was arrested at a chalk protest at Trump International Golf Links on Friday. The former councillor for Ellon and District Ward, Ms Storr, has long opposed Trump, voting against initial plans for the course in 2007. Messages criticising the President could be seen on the road near the Menie Estate. Ms Storry described the act of as 'peaceful and non-destructive'. Read the full story here. A 'festival of resistance' is set to be held near Donald Trump's Aberdeenshire golf course ahead of meetings with political leaders on Monday. The protest at The White Horse Inn, Balmedie, Aberdeen, is close to the Trump International Scotland golf resort and organisers said they object to it receiving £180,000 of public funding for the Nexo Championship next month. Organiser of Stop Trump Scotland, Alena Ivanova, said: 'As Donald Trump is expected to arrive at his Aberdeenshire golf course, residents and protesters are gathering in Balmedie from 3pm to continue the festival of resistance. 'This message is to Donald Trump but also our elected leaders preparing to meet him: there is no place for Trumpism in Scotland. 'They need to stand up to him instead of kowtowing to this bully – including by handing over hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayer money for a golf tournament hosted at Trump International even while he attempts to bully us with tariffs. 'In the vicinity of the golf course people will be making noise and using creative props to bring the message as close to home as possible – Donald Trump is not welcome here.' The Scottish Government allocated £180,000 to help bring a tour to Trump's Aberdeenshire golf course, and it hasn't pleased everyone. The government says the public money will 'further raise the profile' of the area when the 2025 Nexo Championship is held at the US President's resort in August. It's understood the Scottish Government hopes the cash, through VisitScotland, will help bring the tournament back in future years. Officials say golf tourism is worth about £300 million a year and supports 5,000 jobs in Scotland. First Minister John Swinney said: 'As the home of golf, we have a long-standing track record of support and I am proud this funding will further enhance Aberdeenshire's reputation as a leading golfing destination and I am hopeful of securing further golfing events in future years.' Green party leader Patrick Harvie doesn't agree. He said: 'This shames Scotland. It's an embarrassing attempt to please a bully and shows the same craven attitude as Keir Starmer.' Hundreds gathered yesterday in Aberdeen to protest against Trump's visit. The demonstration at Union Terrace was one of two protests held in Scotland yesterday, with a similar event taking place in Edinburgh. Both events were organised by the Stop Trump Coalition and Police Scotland have confirmed that both protests were peaceful and without any incidents. While two arrests were made at 'other events' in Aberdeen on Saturday, Police Scotland have confirmed that no arrests were made at either of the protests. Balmedie residents are experiencing heavy police presence and road closures ahead of Donald Trump's planned visit to open a new golf course at Menie tomorrow. Parts of the North Beach Road have been closed off, as well as most of the B977 leading to Mr Trump's Menie golf course. Locals have reported confusion over signage, altered and delayed bus services and disruption to their daily walking and driving routes as a result of the road closures. Some residents have claimed they received no notice of the closures, while local businesses have voiced their concerns over the impact of the disruption. A Police Scotland spokesperson said they are working to keep the disruption to a minimum and are 'thankful to communities for their patience and understanding.' There has been a lots of activity in the skies above Trump's Menie Estate over the last few days. Helicopters, which appear to be military aircraft, have been spotted flying over Aberdeenshire ahead of the US President's visit on Monday. One witness reported that there were six aircraft above the estate on Friday afternoon. The helicopters appeared to be circling and performing manoeuvres throughout the afternoon, before later landing at Aberdeen Airport. It is believed that the group of aircraft included four US Army Chinooks and two US Marine Sikorsky VH-3D Sea Kings. Hundreds of protestors gathered at Aberdeen's Union Terrace today to voice their disapproval over President Trump's UK visit and subsequent Aberdeen stop. The protestors gathered near the statue of William Wallace, where they held up signs and voiced their message clearly: that they will not welcome the President to the UK. When asked why they decided to come out today, one protestor, Mary Nicoll said: 'I think this visit is a total waste of money. 'He conducts himself as a bully, not as a diplomat.' Her daughter Sarah Nicoll said: 'He's a man who is doing immeasurable harm around the world, and I don't think he should be welcomed to Aberdeen. 'I certainly am not giving him a welcome, and clearly no one else here is.' A previously banned protest banner has reappeared at a Stornoway shop in response to Donald Trump's visit to Scotland. The sign, which reads 'Shame on you Donald John,' in reference to the President's two first names, had become a familiar sight to those in Stornoway. It was originally placed outside Lewis Revival in March before being ordered down by the council. The banner was returned to the shop last night and will now be toured around the island by local residents and volunteers in protest of the US President's visit. Shop owner Sarah Venus said: 'Our banner with its many signatures and comments has become a community artifact of protest against Trump. 'We hung it again yesterday in front of the shop in an act of civil disobedience but at 5pm we removed it and it has begun its tour of the island.' Hundreds gathered at Union Terrace in Aberdeen today to protest US President Donald Trump's visit to Scotland. The demonstration, organised by the Stop Trump Coalition drew local residents and activist groups alike. Campaigners described the protest as the beginning of a 'festival of resistance', with the group planning further demonstrations throughout President Trump's visit. Green MSP and Rector of Dundee University Maggie Chapman spoke at the protest. Ms Chapman said: 'I think it's so important that so many people have turned out from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to show Trump that he is not welcome here. 'The way he has ran roughshod over our communities, over our natural environment, over our politics of human rights and dignity, those are the things we are standing up against in Aberdeen.' Anti-Trump protestors are set to meet at the William Wallace statue on Union Terrace at 12 noon today. Organised by Stop Trump Coalition, the group have called for First Minister John Swinney not to meet with the President. Speakers are set to include Maggie Chapman Green MSP, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC), Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and Granite Gays. Ahead of the protest, Alena Ivanova, a campaigner with the coalition said: 'Donald Trump may shake hands with our leaders, but he's no friend of Scotland. 'Trump is not welcome because he represents all that Scottish people reject. 'We call on everyone to join us and protest Trump, his politics and his ushering of a global far right.' 9am – 26/07/25 Following the President's arrival in Scotland last night, he was escorted to his course at Turnberry, ahead of what is sure to be an interesting weekend. Trump is set to meet with both Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and First Minister John Swinney during his visit. He will then make the journey to his Golf Resort in Balmedie to open up a brand new course, named after his Scottish mother. Today, there will be a protest from the Stop Trump Coalition at Union Terrace Gardens in the Granite City. Stay with our live blog as we bring you all of today's updates. President Trump has officially landed in Scotland ahead of his trip to open his brand new Aberdeenshire golf course. Riding aboard Air Force One, he touched down at Prestwick Airport at 8.30pm on Friday evening. The 79-year-old made the journey on one of his two custom Boeing 747-200B jets. He is now expected to be taken away in his motorcade to his Turnberry golf resort on the Ayrshire coast. President Trump is visiting his Aberdeenshire golf resort – Trump International Scotland – to open a brand-new golf course. The 18-hole links MacLeod Course is named after his mother Mary Anne MacLeod who was born on the Isle of Lewis in 1912. She emigrated to the United States in the 1930s where she married businessman Fred Trump in 1936. Mary Anne MacLeod died in 2000 at the age of 88. A deer had to be euthanised after it has hit by a police vehicle close to Trump International Scotland on Friday morning. New Arc Wildlife Rescue confirmed the news as the animal was 'beyond saving'. Ahead of his flight to Scotland, President Trump told reporters he was going to have 'a good time' with Keir Starmer and John Swinney during his trip. He confirmed he will have dinner with the prime minister at Turnberry before they travel to the 'oil capital of Europe, which is Aberdeen'. He added: 'We're going to have a good time. I think the prime minister and I get along very well.' The US president also told the media he has a 'lot of love' for Scotland. He said: 'The Scottish leader is a good man, so I look forward to meeting him.' The P&J has seen a letter from Offshore Energies UK to the prime minister. It is essentially a direct plea to focus on domestic oil and gas while Sir Keir Starmer prepares to talk business with Donald Trump. The US president told media last week he will meet the prime minister in Aberdeen – a claim which has not been disputed by Downing Street. But the prime minister's office has also not confirmed any details of a north-east visit. Industry figures and political leaders are now working on the assumption he will be there, so failing to come along will risk a serious backlash. Several roads in Lossiemouth will be closed to traffic during the President Trump's visit to the north-east beginning on Monday. According to air traffic documents, Trump will land at RAF Lossiemouth on Monday evening before travelling to his Aberdeenshire golf resort in Balmedie. Moray Council has confirmed several roads will be closed during this time. Roads surrounding the RAF base will be shut to traffic for four hours on Monday – between 1.30pm and 5.30pm. While not confirmed, road closures and air traffic restrictions suggest the US president will land at RAF Lossiemouth on Monday. He is then expected to travel to his Menie Estate, north of Aberdeen. Trump was last in the north-east in 2023 to break ground on his newest golf course. Further restrictions suggest he will leave his Menie Estate on Tuesday, July 29, head back to RAF Lossiemouth before leaving Scotland that afternoon. US President Donald Trump will arrive at Prestwick Airport on Friday night ahead of a four-day 'private' visit to Scotland. Over the coming days, he will visit Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire as well as open a new golf course at Trump International Scotland near Balmedie. Trump has also confirmed he plans to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Aberdeen during his trip. Good morning and welcome to our live blog, where our reporters will be posting regular updates about US President Donald Trump's visit to Aberdeenshire. Make sure to hit the refresh button on your browser to see new posts.
