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U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his visit to Scotland, which took place from July 25 to July 29, 2025, with a meeting with Scottish First Minister John Swinney. The discussions focused on key trade and geopolitical issues, including tariffs, North Sea oil, and the war in Gaza.

The visit, which combined business, diplomacy, and golf, was described by officials as “private,” though it included high-level talks with both the First Minister of Scotland John Swinney and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump also met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and finalized trade framework agreement.

Trump departed Scotland on July 29 evening aboard the presidential helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth after inaugurating a new course at his Aberdeenshire golf resort.

Tariffs take center stage

One of the most pressing topics during Trump’s meeting with Swinney was the 10% tariff currently imposed on Scotch whisky exports to the United States. The First Minister used the opportunity to appeal for a policy shift in favor of the iconic Scottish product, citing its unique origin and economic value.

“I was setting out to him a very unique circumstance around Scotch whisky, which can only be produced in Scotland,” Swinney said. “It’s not something that can be relocated somewhere else. I was pointing out the significance of that point and appealing to his sentiment about being very positive about Scotland, which he is, to try to get to a better position.”

Scotch whisky makes up roughly a quarter of all UK food and drink exports. In 2024 alone, the U.S. market was worth $1.2 billion, with around a fifth of all Scotch whisky exported there. The Scotch Whisky Association reports that current tariffs are costing the industry approximately $5.3 million per week.

President Donald J. Trump’s HISTORIC Scotland visit: Forging peace and prosperity for America and for the world 🇺🇸🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/U5sSS5TFso

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 29, 2025

A Scottish government source indicated that there is now a “window of opportunity” before Trump’s expected return for a state visit in September to push for relief from the tariff. In remarks during a press conference, Trump appeared open to discussions on the whisky tariff issue but admitted some unfamiliarity with the matter. “We’ll talk about that. I didn’t know whisky was a problem. I’m not a big whisky drinker, but maybe I should be,” he said.

Trump also praised Swinney during the inauguration of the golf course, calling him a “terrific guy.” The two reportedly had a 15–20-minute one-on-one conversation on the Balmedie Estate, followed by a dinner the previous evening during which they discussed “critical issues such as whisky,” according to Scottish government sources.

Oil and gas taxation

Trump also raised concerns about what he views as excessive taxation on North Sea oil and gas production. In a post on his Truth Social platform before the meeting, he referred to the region as a “treasure chest for the United Kingdom” and argued that current tax levels are too high.

After the meeting, Swinney echoed some of Trump’s concerns. “The industry is overtaxed,” he told BBC Scotland News, though he stopped short of endorsing expanded drilling. He emphasized that any new oil and gas exploration must align with climate targets.

Trump used the visit to strongly advocate for fossil fuel development, saying, “You can take 1,000 times more energy out of a hole in the ground this big,” while gesturing. He added, “It’s called oil and gas, and you have it there in the North Sea.”

📸 President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer in Scotland. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/l4Tm75Kppi

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 28, 2025

Talks on Gaza and humanitarian aid

Another issue raised by the First Minister was the war in Gaza. Swinney urged Trump to use his influence with the Israeli government to press for a ceasefire and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Swinney described the Gaza conflict as a source of “heartbreak” in Scotland and noted the President’s “growing awareness and unease” about the crisis.

The Scotland’s First Minister Swinney also welcomed the UK’s decision to recoginze a Palestinian state and said, “I welcome the UK Government’s commitment to recognise the State of Palestine, but it shouldn’t be subject to conditions. It must be unequivocal, irreversible and backed by sanctions on Israel. Israel must agree to a ceasefire now and allow more aid into Gaza to stop starvation.”

Starmer recently announced the UK’s plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, citing growing public outrage over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the worsening humanitarian crisis affecting Palestinian children.

I met with President Trump last night and today.

I sought a change to tariffs for Scotland’s whisky industry. I set out the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to flow, as well as the need to support Ukraine.

Scotland’s voice was heard loud and clear.

— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) July 29, 2025

Trump-Starmer Meeting

As part of his official visit to Scotland, U.S. President Trump met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 28 to discuss bilateral relations, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to forging a more comprehensive transatlantic trade agreement, with Trump calling for a reduction in regulatory barriers and tariffs, particularly in the energy and defense sectors. Starmer emphasized the need for a “rules-based, fair, and mutually beneficial” trading framework and welcomed American investment in green technologies and strategic industries across the UK.

The Middle East, particularly the war in Gaza, was another focal point. Starmer urged the U.S. to use its leverage with Israel to press for a lasting ceasefire and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. Trump acknowledged the severity of the humanitarian crisis and agreed that diplomatic coordination among Western allies was essential. While their positions differed in tone, both leaders agreed on the need to prevent further regional escalation and emphasized the urgency of delivering aid.

“The prime minister, he’s been so supportive of us and so strong and so respected, and I respect him much more today than I did before, because I just met his wife and family. He’s got a perfect wife, and that’s never easy to achieve,” Trump said.

Trump blasts UK’s wind energy

In line with his long-standing opposition to wind turbines, Trump again criticized wind power during the visit, calling turbines “ugly monsters” and claiming they are subsidized and harmful to landscapes.

“Wind is the most expensive form of energy and it destroys the beauty of your fields, your plains, and your waterways,” Trump said. “You are paying in Scotland and the UK, and all over the place, massive subsidies to have these ugly monsters all over the place.”

The U.S. President previously lost a legal battle to stop the construction of wind turbines visible from his Aberdeenshire golf resort. His comments were countered by the UK Prime Minister, who emphasized the country’s commitment to a balanced energy mix that includes wind, solar, and nuclear alongside oil and gas.

U.S.-EU Trade Breakthrough: Trade Framework Agreement

A landmark moment in transatlantic relations unfolded during President Donald Trump’s Scotland visit, as he and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen finalized a significant trade framework agreement. Following an intensive hour-long meeting at the Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf resort, the U.S. and EU reached a breakthrough in months of tough negotiations on trade aimed at averting a full-scale trade war.

Under the agreement, the U.S. imposed a 15% tariff on most EU goods, half the rate originally threatened, providing a critical compromise that promises greater stability and predictability for transatlantic commerce.

President Trump hailed the accord as “the biggest deal ever made,” spotlighting the EU’s commitment to invest approximately $600 billion in the U.S. economy, including dramatically increased purchases of American energy and military equipment. Von der Leyen, acknowledging Trump’s tough negotiating style, described the tariff as “across the board” and the best achievable outcome given the complex issues at stake.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the accord as a necessary step to prevent deeper trade conflict, while European Parliament trade committee chair Bernd Lange voiced concerns over tariff imbalances and cautioned that the EU’s substantial investment commitments could strain the bloc’s own resources. Notably, the agreement includes provisions allowing the U.S. to reinstate higher tariffs if the EU fails to meet its investment targets, leaving some uncertainty about long-term stability.

The deal’s announcement during Trump’s Scotland visit symbolized a pragmatic pivot toward cooperation in an era of intensifying global economic competition. Both leaders emphasized the strategic importance of reinforcing transatlantic ties not only in trade but also in energy security and geopolitical stability, foundations of a partnership increasingly tested by global crises.

Gifts and sentimentality

Ahead of their meeting, Swinney presented Trump with two framed historical documents from the National Records of Scotland. One included a 1921 census record from Stornoway featuring Trump’s mother’s family, and the other a 1654 map of the Isle of Lewis. Trump’s mother was born in Lewis before emigrating to New York at the age of 18.

Trump, in turn, gifted Swinney an American bald eagle figurine, the national symbol of the United States. During the golf course opening ceremony, Trump reminisced about his mother’s deep love for Scotland. “We love Scotland,” he said. “My mother came back religiously every year.”

The trip also included time at Trump’s Turnberry resort, where he hosted Prime Minister Starmer on Monday before flying to RAF Lossiemouth and joining Swinney for dinner.

Visit in September

Trump’s next official visit to the UK is scheduled for September, when he will return for a state visit and stay with King Charles at Windsor Castle. Scottish government officials hope the time between now and then can be used to make progress on outstanding trade and energy issues, particularly the whisky tariff.

In the meantime, Trump returns to Washington, D.C., stating, “We’ve stopped about five wars. That’s much more important than playing golf,” as he departed his Balmedie estate.