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Donald Trumplanded in Scotland to enthusiastic crowds as part of a large-scale security effort across the nation.
A large number of spectators cheered as he arrived, while just a few demonstrators displayed poorly made signs outside Turnberry.
The trip is anticipated to involve a security setup comparable to the measures put in place for the late individual.Queen Elizabeth IIThe funeral in September 2022 – which included up to 6,000 officers – saw taxpayers once more paying over £3 million for the security during his visit.
This journey has now taken up nearly a third of Police Scotland’s staff to ensure everything runs smoothly, with officers in high-visibility vests moving across the greens, tees, and fairways.DCwhile shooters kept an eye on it from guard posts.
Significant demonstrations are set to occur in Aberdeen andEdinburghon Saturday, officers from different forces were brought in to strengthen the Scottish unit.
Golf matches continued, but the game took place behind extensive 10ft barriers made of very fine netting designed to prevent demonstrators from approaching.
During the trip, Mr Trump willengage in discussions with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, First Minister John Swinney, and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
At the Prestwick runway, Mr Trump rekindled his opposition to the growth of wind farms, a stance he had previously taken against developments near his Menie course in Aberdeenshire.
He addressed journalists, stating: ‘I have two messages for Europe: halt the windmills, as they are damaging your nations.’
I truly mean it. It’s very sad, you travel over and notice these windmills spread everywhere, spoiling your lovely fields and valleys, and harming your birds, and if they are in your oceans, they are damaging them.
Regarding immigration, you need to sort yourself out, or Europe will no longer be around.
He mentioned he would be meeting with ‘many executives’ and ‘a lot of individuals’ in Turnberry and Aberdeen, which he referred to as ‘the oil hub of Europe’.
He mentioned that his discussions with Sir Keir will serve as a ‘celebration’ of the US/UK trade agreement but downplayed the chances of any modifications, stating ‘the deal is finalized’.
Mr Trump also highlighted the possibility of his Turnberry resort hosting the Open, while downplaying worries that infrastructure needs to be upgraded first.
He stated: ‘I’m not sure, the finest course anywhere in the world is Turnberry, the players all’want to be at Turnberry, everyone wants to be at Turnberry so we’ll see how that turns out.’
As he departed from the White House aboard Air Force One, President Trump expressed his affection for Scotland and mentioned that he wished to discuss enhancements to the US/UK trade agreement with Sir Keir.
Having arrived late at Prestwick, he made his way to Trump Turnberry.
Business executives describe the visit as a significant chance to enhance Scotland’s economic connections with the world’s largest economy and could lead to in-depth talks about trade and customs duties.
Discussing his intentions with Sir Keir prior to departing from the United States, Mr Trump mentioned they will be having dinner at Turnberry and then heading to Aberdeen, which he referred to as ‘the oil capital of Europe’ for lunch.
He stated: “We’re in for a great time, the Prime Minister and I have a very good relationship.”
Regarding his planned meeting with Mr Swinney, he stated: ‘I have a great deal of affection (for Scotland), my mother was born there.’
The leader from Scotland is a fine individual, and I am eager to meet him.
Looking towards a helper, he asked, “Is everything arranged properly?”
Scottish whisky leaders are urgently seeking the President to lower orremove the 10 per cent tax applied to exports of malts and blends to the United States.
When asked if he plans to engage in any business agreements with the UK, he responded: ‘Yes, I’m going to meet the Prime Minister shortly, we’ll be there in approximately six hours, and we’re set to meet the Prime Minister tonight.’
We will be discussing the trade agreement we have reached and potentially enhance it.
He mentioned that they will address ‘some elements that benefit both nations’ and also ‘have a bit of a celebration’.
President Trump was welcomed by Labour’s Scottish Secretary Ian Murray at Turnberry, even though the Edinburgh South MP had previously supported a House of Commons motion that urged the cancellation of his 2019 state visit and criticized him for ‘misogyny, racism, and xenophobia’.
Finance Minister Rachel Reeves stated yesterday that the President’s visit to Scotland is in the ‘national interest’.
She stated: ‘It is in Britain’s national interest to maintain strong ties with the US administration, and due to both that long-standing special relationship, but even more so, the efforts our Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made in developing this relationship with President Trump have resulted in us being the first country globally to finalize a trade agreement.’
That brings a real advantage to individuals in Scotland, whether they are employed in the Scotch whisky industry or in the defense sector, such as at Rolls-Royce, as this trade agreement results in lower tariffs than any other country on goods we export to the US.
Business executives anticipate that the visit could lead to pacts that enhance the Scottish and UK economies.
Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, stated: ‘There are £30 billion reasons why the USA is important to Scotland and President Trump’s visit presents a great opportunity to highlight the finest aspects of Scottish business on an international level.’
We are led by a President who has a strong grasp of business, is skilled in negotiation, has a personal and financial stake in our country, and recognizes the worth of our top-tier products and services.
That forms a solid foundation for a unique partnership and presents a significant chance to enhance Scotland’s economic connections with the world’s largest economy and our biggest export market beyond the EU.
Before his discussions with the President, Mr Swinney mentioned that the meeting will provide a chance to ‘voice Scotland’s position’ on global matters like Gaza, along with trade and the growth of American business in Scotland.
He stated: ‘There are undoubtedly important global matters where the people of Scotland have an opinion and wish for that perspective to be conveyed by their First Minister.’
That connects to the terrible conditions in Gaza and the intense human hardship taking place there.
I wish to ensure that these worries and opinions are conveyed to the President of the United States.
We possess this chance, and I plan to utilize it to ensure that Scotland’s perspective is acknowledged.
Mr Swinney also called on everyone planning to demonstrate against the president’s visit to do so ‘calmly and within the bounds of the law’.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is set to meet with US President Donald Trump in Scotland on Sunday.
Ms von der Leyen announced on X, stating: ‘After a positive conversation with @POTUS, we have decided to meet in Scotland on Sunday to talk about transatlantic trade relations, and ways to maintain their strength.’
