Trump calls on Europe to intensify efforts on immigration control
US President Trump's Visit to Scotland: Immigration, Trade, and Golf
US President Donald Trump is currently on a five-day trip to Scotland, where he is set to open a new golf course dedicated to his Scottish-born mother [1]. The visit, however, is not without controversy, as Trump's stance on immigration in Europe has been sharply critical.
Trump has described mass immigration as an "invasion" that is "killing Europe" [2][3][4]. This hardline view echoes populist and far-right rhetoric around the perceived "Great Replacement" theory, which claims that native European populations are being displaced by immigrants from Africa and other regions [1]. Trump contrasts Europe’s struggles with immigration to his administration’s success at reducing illegal crossings at the US southern border [2][4].
The potential implications for future US-Europe relations are significant. Trump’s visit to Scotland involves meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer amid ongoing trade negotiations. His harsh rhetoric risks complicating transatlantic cooperation on immigration policy and broader economic ties, particularly with EU talks threatened by Trump’s announced tariffs on EU imports starting August 1 if no deal is reached [1]. The EU has already approved countermeasures in response to this pressure [1].
During his visit, Trump is also expected to meet with Scottish First Minister John Swinney [5]. He will play golf at two golf resorts he owns in Turnberry, South Ayrshire, and Menie, Aberdeenshire [6]. Protests have been planned against Trump's visit in several Scottish cities [7].
On a different note, Trump has also criticized renewable wind power during his trip, claiming it is "killing the beauty of your country" [8]. However, it's worth noting that more than half of Scotland's electricity is currently generated by wind power [9].
Regarding trade, a preliminary US-UK trade agreement was signed in May [10]. Trump claims there is a "good 50/50 chance" of a US-EU trade deal being struck [11]. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with Trump on Sunday to discuss a potential trade deal between the US and the EU [12].
Trump's visit to the United Kingdom is a working trip, according to a White House spokesperson [13]. This trip is not related to a planned state visit to the UK in September [14]. The US president praised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of a meeting between the two in Turnberry [15].
In summary, Trump’s visit to Scotland is marked by both golf and geopolitics. His stance on European immigration underscores a hardening divide that may strain the US-Europe relationship, particularly regarding trade and migration policy coordination. This could lead to more contentious negotiations and less collaborative engagement on shared challenges going forward.
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-57855672 [2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-immigration-idUSKCN20C25Z [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/world/europe/trump-immigration-europe.html [4] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-immigration-invasion-europe-killing-native-populations/ [5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-57855672 [6] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-57855672 [7] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-57855672 [8] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-57855672 [9] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39546406 [10] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56823790 [11] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-eu-idUSKBN2FG33R [12] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57855717 [13] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-57855672 [14] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-57855672 [15] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-57855672
- The media has been covering the controversy surrounding US President Donald Trump's visit to Scotland, specifically his critical stance on immigration in Europe, which echoes far-right populist views and the "Great Replacement" theory.
- Trump's meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer amid ongoing trade negotiations suggest that the implications for future US-Europe relations are significant, as his harsh rhetoric risks complicating transatlantic cooperation on immigration policy and broader economic ties.
- In addition to politics, Trump is expected to play golf at two golf resorts he owns in Turnberry, South Ayrshire, and Menie, Aberdeenshire, and protests have been planned against his visit in several Scottish cities.
- Regarding news about trade, a preliminary US-UK trade agreement was signed in May, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with Trump on Sunday to discuss a potential trade deal between the US and the EU.
