Donald Trump arrived in Scotland last night with a message for the UK and Europe to tackle immigration and with an expectation that he will press Sir Keir Starmer to support the oil and gas industry.
“It’s great to be in Scotland”, he declared as he disembarked from Air Force One at Prestwick in preparation for meetings with the Prime Minister, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney.
The US president spoke to the media after touching down at about 8.30pm to be met by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and Warren Stephens, US Ambassador to the UK.
Mr Trump will play golf at his Turnberry resort today and is due to meet the Prime Minister on Monday in Aberdeen where energy will be among the items on the agenda.
The president has been critical of the wind turbines being built across Scotland and Europe. “Stop the windmills. You’re ruining your countries. I really mean it, it’s so sad,” he told reporters.
“You fly over and you see these windmills all over the place, ruining your beautiful fields and valleys and killing your birds, and if they’re stuck in the ocean, ruining your oceans.
“Stop the windmills, and also, I mean, there’s a couple of things I could say, but on immigration, you’d better get your act together or you’re not going to have Europe anymore.”
In 2019, his company Trump International lost a long-running court battle to stop a major wind power development being built in the North Sea off Aberdeen. Mr Trump argued that the project, which included 11 wind turbines, would spoil the view from his golf course at Menie.
He has also called for the UK to keep drilling for oil and gas, a message that has been reinforced by David Whitehouse, chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, who has written to the Prime Minister ahead of his meeting with the president to urge him to change tack on the North Sea.
In a letter to Sir Keir, Mr Whitehouse said: “As you meet with President Trump and the First Minister, the world will be watching.
“The simple thing we are asking you to do is agree that homegrown energy is best. If we are going to use oil and gas, let us produce it here in the UK – responsibly, alongside an accelerated rollout of renewables.
“Some argue it makes no difference. But only energy produced here pays UK taxes, supports UK jobs, adds value to the UK economy, and helps drive the UK’s journey to net zero.
“The UK will still need 13–15 billion barrels of oil and gas to 2050, even with the expansion of renewables. With the right policies the North Sea can meet half of this demand, contributing over £350bn to the national economy.
“Instead, we are breaking records for energy imports, with over 40% of our energy imported in 2024. These imports come with higher emissions, fewer jobs, and pay no UK taxes. That does not make sense.”
It is not known exactly what approach Mr Trump will take with the Prime Minister, but he will be receptive to these comments, telling reporters last night that he will be in Aberdeen “the oil capital of Europe”.
He will also discuss illegal migration which he described in his comments to reporters as an “invasion” which was “killing Europe”.
He said: “Last month, we (the United States) had nobody entering our country. Nobody. Shut it down. And we took out a lot of bad people that got there with (former US president Joe) Biden.
“Biden was a total stiff, and what he allowed to happen…. but you’re allowing it to happen to your countries, and you’ve got to stop this horrible invasion that’s happening to Europe; many countries in Europe.
“Some people, some leaders, have not let it happen, and they’re not getting the proper credit they should.
“I could name them to you right now, but I’m not going to embarrass the other ones. But stop: this immigration is killing Europe.”
On trade, he said the UK deal was “concluded”, and described his visit to Scotland as “more of a celebration than a workout” and “a great opportunity to meet with a lot of people”.
“I like your prime minister. He’s slightly more liberal than I am – as you probably heard – but he’s a good man. He got a trade deal done.”
Mr Trump added: “You know, they’ve been working on this deal for 12 years, he got it done – that’s a good deal, it’s a good deal for the UK.”
He said: “We’re going to do some great things. I’ll be meeting with the EU on Sunday, and we’ll be working on a deal, we’ll see if we make a deal. Ursula will be here, highly respected woman.”
He said there was “a good 50-50 chance” of an agreement with the EU but added there were “maybe 20 different” sticking points.
EU diplomats say a deal could result in a broad 15% tariff on EU goods and half of the 30% Trump is threatening to impose by 1 August.
On Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, he said: “The Scottish leader is a good man. So I look forward to meeting him.”
Mr Swinney has pledged to “essentially speak out for Scotland”.
In a statement, Mr Swinney had a more pointed message for the president, saying he would raise the issue of Gaza and adding that Scotland is a country that “stands up for a fair and just world” and “cherishes” the right to protest.
The First Minister said: “The global attention the visit will receive provides Scotland with an opportunity to respectfully demonstrate the principles of freedom and justice for all, while also promoting Scotland’s tourism sector and economic investment potential
“As we welcome the President of the United States, Scotland will be showcased on the world stage. This provides Scotland with a platform to make its voice heard on the issues that matter, including war and peace, justice and democracy.
“It also includes the millions of Americans – many of them potential future tourists or investors in Scotland – who will watch their elected President as he visits our country.
“As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland’s voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.
“We are a proud democratic nation, a country that stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world. The right to peaceful demonstration is something we cherish, and everyone has the democratic right to protect and express their views in a peaceful, and democratic manner. That is right and proper.
“I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully. I am also confident that Scotland’s police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US President requires.
“This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.”
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce said it welcomed the president’s visit as a “fantastic platform” to showcase Scottish business on a global stage.
Liz Cameron, chief executive, said: “The USA matters to Scotland and President Trump’s visit is a fantastic platform to showcase the best of Scottish business on a global stage.
“We have a President who understands business, is a deal maker, is personally and financially invested in our nation, and appreciates the value of our world class products and services.
“That’s a strong basis for a special relationship and a huge opportunity to strengthen Scotland’s economic ties with the world’s biggest economy and our largest export market outside the EU.
“Our relationship with the USA is built on decades of trust, collaboration, and shared economic prosperity and we welcome the Prime Minister and First Minister personally engaging to build on those deep connections to protect our jobs, growth and investment and pave the way for detailed discussions in the next few months for a new dynamic Trade Agreement with our Steel and Food/Drink sectors as key priorities.
“Like a splash of water in a fine Scottish malt whisky, the USA and Scotland are better in partnership.”
The president’s motorcade – which contained more than two dozen vehicles was greeted by a small group of protesters. There was also a protest on the Forth Road Bridge which was closed. About 5,000 police have been employed during the visit.
Mr Trump will stay at Turnberry over the weekend before heading to his second property in Aberdeenshire, where he will open a new 18-hole course at Menie.
He told reporters that the late James Bond star Sir Sean Connery played a crucial role in the project.
“Sean Connery helped get me the permits – if it weren’t for Sean Connery we wouldn’t have those great courses,” he said.
Mr Trump will travel back to the US on Tuesday and is due to return to the UK for an official state visit in September.
In the US he faces a number of challenges, including questions over his friendship with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and a fractious relationship with Jerome Powell, chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Mr Trump has made a number of derogatory remarks about the head of the US central bank, accusing him of moving too slowly to cut interest rates.
He has repeatedly floated the possibility of firing Powell, but has pulled back amid warnings from analysts who say it would rock financial markets and spark a legal battle.
The Fed meets next week and policymakers are widely expected to resist Mr Trump’s intervention and vote to leave interest rates unchanged.
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