On his arrival in Scotland for a five-day visit, US President Donald Trump stated that immigration is “destroying Europe”.
Answering a question from a journalist about migration, he stated, “with regard to immigration, you’d be wise to sort yourself out. You won’t have Europe anymore.”
He went on to add, “You need to put an end to this terrible invasion taking place in Europe. Certain individuals, certain leaders have prevented it from occurring. They are not receiving the deserved recognition.”
He did not specify the leaders he was referring to, however, in order not to “embarrass” the rest.
His statements reflected the “Great Replacement” theory commonly promoted by far-right groups, which suggests that Europe’s population would be substituted by immigrants from African nations or other regions.
The US president is set to meet with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during her visit, along with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Von der Leyen mentioned that they would “explore transatlantic relations,” during a week when discussions have become more intense ahead of 1 August, a date set by Trump as the time when he would implement 30% tariffs on EU imports.
In the meantime, EU member countries have agreed on a set of responses in case an agreement is not finalized.
In his statement on Friday, Trump mentioned that securing an agreement with the European Union regarding trade would be “the most significant deal of all if it is achieved.”
‘Stop the windmills’
The US president also used the chance to criticize wind energy, stating that Europe should “stop building windmills, you’re damaging your countries … ruining your beautiful fields and valleys, and killing your birds.”
Trump has repeatedly shown strong opposition to wind turbines, most recently stating, “I don’t want windmills ruining our area.”
Trump is a prominent figure who has publicly rejected the concept of climate change, frequently disputing perspectives and scientific findings that suggest renewable energy can help reduce the carbon emissions of large global economies, a factor that has played a role in the Earth’s rising temperatures in recent years.
There is no scientific proof that wind power has a harmful impact on the plants or animals within a nation.
The Trump Organization, with its assets currently held in a trust managed by his children, was required to pay the Scottish government’s legal expenses following a failed lawsuit by the golf course it owns in Aberdeenshire regarding the building of a nearby wind farm, where it claimed that it affected the views for golfers.
While in Scotland, Trump is set to tour a golf course in Aberdeenshire before its launch on 13 August, as well as one close to Turnberry. His family has ownership of both golf courses.
