Trump and Starmer Tee Up Talks on Trade, Gaza at Scottish Golf Resort
So here's what’s been going on — US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a high-profile meeting today, but not in a usual political setting. Instead, the meeting took place at Trump’s luxury golf resort in Turnberry, on Scotland’s west coast. The scene may have looked relaxed — manicured greens, coastal views — but the discussions were anything but casual.
This wasn’t just a photo op. The two leaders sat down for serious talks covering everything from trade relations between the US and UK to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Trump, fresh off announcing a major trade deal with the European Union just the night before, was clearly feeling confident. He expressed that Starmer would likely be pleased with the unity the EU deal had created — even though the UK wasn’t directly involved in that agreement.
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Now, while Starmer had hoped to press for a reduction in the hefty 50% tariffs on British steel and aluminum exports to the US, Trump quickly shut that idea down. According to him, the trade deal with the UK is already wrapped up, and no tariff changes are on the table — at least for now. Britain's trade minister, Jonathan Reynolds, admitted there wasn’t much hope for announcements on that front, but he did say the talks offered a good opportunity to reinforce Britain’s stance.
The meeting wasn’t just about trade, though. Gaza came up prominently, with Trump suggesting the EU would send more aid to the region and saying he would ask Starmer to lend his support. Trump also hinted at a tougher stance on Russia, reducing a previously announced 50-day deadline he'd given Putin over the war in Ukraine — although no new timeframe was specified.
After their meeting, Trump and Starmer were expected to travel together to Trump’s other Scottish property near Aberdeen, where he was opening a second golf course. First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, is also set to meet with Trump and plans to use the opportunity to advocate for lifting US tariffs on Scotch whisky — which he says are costing the Scottish industry £4 million a week.
Security at Turnberry was tight, with hundreds of officers stationed around the perimeter and a helicopter hovering overhead. Interestingly, protests were minimal at the resort, although demonstrations had taken place in Aberdeen and Edinburgh over the weekend.
So, while golf was the setting, the conversations were packed with global stakes — from economic strategy to humanitarian concerns. It was diplomacy, Scottish-style: suits, tariffs, and sand traps.
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