US President Donald Trump has confirmed he will meet British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer “probably in Aberdeen” later this month.
He told reporters: “We’re going to have a meeting with the British Prime Minister, very respectful, and we are going to have a meeting with him, probably in Aberdeen, and we’re going to do a lot of different things. We’re going to also refine the trade deal that we’ve made.”
Trump described Aberdeen as “the oil capital of Europe” and repeated his criticism of Scotland’s renewable energy policies, stating:
“They have so much oil there. They should get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil. The windmills are really detrimental to the beauty of Scotland and every other place they go up.”
This view, while ignoring the currently decline in North Sea oil, is also in keeping with Trump’s previous efforts to block the Aberdeen Bay offshore wind farm, which remains one of his most notable failed attempts to oppose renewable energy infrastructure, especially when it conflicted with his business interests in Scotland.
Trump had previously launched a high-profile legal campaign to halt the construction of the 11-turbine project, claiming that as it would be visible from his Menie golf course, it would spoil the coastal view and harm local tourism.
All of his objections were ultimately dismissed, and Trump’s company were ordered to pay the legal costs incurred by the Scottish government, with the wind farm generating its first power in 2018.
The private Scottish meeting with Starmer will precede Trump’s official UK state visit with King Charles in September.
Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce responded to Trump’s energy comments, calling on the US president to persuade Starmer to ditch the Energy Profits Levy.
A spokesman for AGCC said:
“We are extremely proud that Aberdeen is Europe’s energy capital – a reputation built on global expertise in oil and gas, with skilled people and great businesses primed to realise huge opportunities ahead in renewables and new technology.
“For as long as we require oil and gas as part of our energy mix over the decades to come, we should produce as much of that as possible from the North Sea – sustaining jobs and growing our economy.
“The biggest barrier to investment in the North Sea is a 78% tax rate on profits and perhaps the US President can persuade the Prime Minister to lift that punitive tax when they meet in Aberdeen.”
Contrasting views came from environmental voices such as Tessa Khan, executive director of the environmental group Uplift, who said:
“More oil and gas drilling would not only lock us into an expensive energy source for far longer than is necessary, it will also contribute to the climate impacts – the wildfires, droughts and floods – that we’re now seeing every year.”
There are also plans in place for First Minister John Swinney to meet the US President during his visit to Scotland.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “It is important that the opportunity to promote the interests of Scotland is taken during this visit.”
The Scottish Greens criticised First Minister John Swinney’s decision to also meet with Trump as “out of step with Scotland’s values”
Police Scotland have said they will seek government help with the “considerable” costs of the Trump visit, after it emerged last week planning was underway for the visit.
Trump’s remarks revive the debate between fossil fuels and renewable energy in Aberdeen, historically the heart of the UK’s oil industry but increasingly investing in renewables.
With Aberdeen’s business leaders highlighting concerns about high taxes on oil and gas profits, the meeting might boost arguments for a more investment-friendly North Sea policy.
The visit may well turn global attention to Aberdeen, with protesters, supporters, and international media expected to spotlight the city and its economic direction.
