The heat is on in the negotiations between the EU and the US! As Trump gets ready for a serious chat with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland, times are tense as everyone aims to sidestep a major trade war.
Trump, who was enjoying a private trip to his family’s Turnberry golf resort, used the opportunity to voice some controversial opinions about Europe’s issues with wind turbines and immigration. He claimed Europe might just fall apart unless leaders “get their act together.”
In his usual blunt style, he remarked, “I have two things to tell Europe. Don’t build any more windmills! They’re ruining your countries. Seriously, it’s sad to see. Flying over, you can see those windmills wrecking the landscape and hurting wildlife.” He didn’t stop there, warning, “Get immigration sorted out or you won’t have Europe anymore.”
Instead of addressing the press early Saturday as scheduled, he chose golf at his resort, cruising around with tunes blasting from his golf cart.
Sky News, parked nearby the course, reported the joyous soundtrack included classics like Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl,” Elaine Paige’s “Memory,” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
This trip to Scotland is billed as a four-day family visit, where Trump meets with various European leaders and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the UK, fueling hopes for fresh and improved trade agreements.
About the potential for a trade deal with the EU, Trump pointed to “20 sticking points” that remain. When pressed for details, he simply replied, “I’d rather not share those right now.”
Praising von der Leyen as “a highly respected woman,” he expressed optimism about their upcoming meeting, estimating a fair 50-50 chance of reaching a conclusion on the deal.
Reports say von der Leyen and her team were set to arrive on Saturday, with European trade commissioner Maroš Šefčović flying in on Sunday morning.
The deal might focus on an agreement involving 15% tariff rates on exports such as cars, paired with a 50% tariff on steel. Making headlines would be a new pharmaceutical deal setting a 15% rate on exports, though this flies in the face of longstanding World Trade Organization rules that keep medicine tariffs at zero. Notably, this is much more moderate than the previous 200% existing on pharmaceuticals that Trump threatened earlier this month.
If breached, that drastic move could spark a harmful trade war not just with Ireland, where many American multinationals are set up, but also with countries like Germany, Denmark, Belgium, France, and Spain.
Von der Leyen’s spokesperson, Paula Pinho, commented about ongoing talks: “Intense negotiations are at play, both at the technical and political levels, between the EU and US. Leaders will now introspect and evaluate the balance for a positive outcome, ensuring stability and predictability for businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.”
The meeting is anticipated to take place in Aberdeenshire and will be closely followed by more discussions with Starmer on Monday, potentially expanding the initial trade deal agreed upon back in May.
Trump’s visit has triggered significant security measures, comparable only to those during Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in 2022, with over 5,000 officers and security personnel mobilized amid heightened alerts following an assassination attempt last year.
Strong security barricades around the coastal golf course, naval vessels patrolling the waters, drones monitoring overhead, and a thorough security setup around the resort have been instituted since Saturday morning.
The extensive security could foreshadow future visits, with JD Vance, the US vice president, scheduled to go to the Cotswolds later in August for a family getaway.
Meanwhile, some locals who once opposed Trump’s golf course expansion have raised questions regarding who’s covering the costs associated with the heightened security measures.
