President Donald Trump arrived in Scotland on Friday, combining diplomacy with business as his family prepares to open a new golf course on 13 August in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire.
Trump–Starmer Meeting and UK Trade Deal
Trump said his meeting with Starmer would be more of a celebration of the trade deal already reached than continued work on it, adding, "It's a great deal for both."
Since taking office last year, Starmer has prioritized strengthening ties with Washington and succeeded in clinching the first tariff-reduction deal with the U.S. in May, easing levies on aerospace goods and setting car export quotas.
EU Trade Talks and Tariff Proposals
Trump also commented on ongoing negotiations with the European Union, estimating a '50-50' chance of securing a major trade deal. He acknowledged there are still 'sticking points' on about 20 unresolved issues.
EU diplomats suggest the deal under discussion may introduce a broad 15% tariff on European goods—half the 30% Trump has threatened to impose by 1 August. As part of his broader effort to reset global trade terms, Trump has already introduced a 10% tariff on nearly all U.S. trade partners, a move aimed at reducing the trade deficit, though economists warn it could drive inflation.
Epstein Scandal and Public Reaction
Trump addressed the renewed media attention regarding his past association with Jeffrey Epstein, characterizing the coverage as disproportionate.
"You make it a very big thing over something that's not a big thing," Trump told reporters in Scotland, urging them to focus on other prominent Americans with ties to Epstein, including former President Bill Clinton.
Scotland Visit and Public Sentiment
During his stay in Scotland, Trump is lodging at his Turnberry golf resort on the west coast. On Monday, he will travel to Aberdeen to open a second 18-hole course named after his Scottish-born mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was raised on the Isle of Lewis before immigrating to the U.S.
While Trump describes Scotland as a 'very special place,' local sentiment is less favorable. A recent Ipsos poll found that 70% of Scots hold a negative view of him. Protests are expected in both Aberdeen and Edinburgh over the weekend.
Upcoming State Visit
Looking ahead, Trump is scheduled to return to the UK in September for a formal state visit hosted by King Charles. It will make Trump the first world leader in modern times to undertake two state visits to Britain.
A group of French nationals, suspected of belonging to the Islamic State (IS), on trial in Iraq could face execution, a member of Iraq’s Supr...
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Servic...
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes milita...
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
Russian authorities have reported attacks on voting systems and communication lines as the country’s parliamentary election entered its second day on Saturday (19 September).
A group of French nationals, suspected of belonging to the Islamic State (IS), on trial in Iraq could face execution, a member of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council told a hearing in Baghdad on Sunday.
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Service has said.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has prepared sanctions targeting the entire International Criminal Court (ICC) and could announce them soon, escalating Washington's efforts to pressure the global tribunal.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged closer ties on Sunday as they sought to strengthen cooperation on geopolitical tensions, climate change, energy and the protection of democratic values.
The Left Party won Sunday's Berlin state election with 25.5 per cent of the vote in the preliminary result, ahead of the Christian Democrats (CDU) on 19.1 per cent. This marks a major shift in the city's political landscape and a setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ruling coalition.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment