During his recent visit to Scotland, US President Donald Trump hosted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney at his Aberdeenshire golf course—a reckless spectacle that exposed the fragile state of UK diplomacy and the depths of our political chaos. While seemingly aimed at discussing trade and energy, such meetings only serve to reinforce Trump’s self-serving attempts to manipulate UK political figures for his own agendas, behind a facade of diplomacy. Key sectors like Scotland’s whisky and salmon industries, which are already battered by poor trade policies and post-Brexit chaos, are being used as pawns in Trump’s game for American economic influence.

Trump’s suggestion that higher taxes in North Sea oil and gas deter investment is a blatant attempt to undermine UK energy sovereignty. Instead of supporting policies that foster genuine British energy independence, his rhetoric pushes for incentives that serve his own interests—regardless of long-term UK energy security. It’s a dangerous move that prioritizes US corporate gains over British jobs and industries, revealing once again that Trump sees the UK as an economic playground for his ego and vested interests.

The Scottish Government’s engagement with Trump is hypocrisy at its worst. First Minister John Swinney’s insistence on dialogue to protect “geopolitical interests” only shows a desperate willingness to compromise UK sovereignty for superficial gains. Such diplomatic gambits are a distraction from the real issues facing Scotland—namely, economic sovereignty and the need for a clear, nationalist stance against foreign interference. Allowing Trump’s visit and meetings risks giving credence to his divisive and racially charged politics, which have no place in progressive, accountable governance.

Across the UK, the political landscape remains deeply fractured, with Trump’s confrontational style reflected in the ongoing rifts within British politics. In London, Mayor Sadiq Khan’s vocal condemnation of Trump as a racist “poster boy,” and Trump’s racist attacks in return, highlight the bitterness and polarization that have become hallmarks of this so-called special relationship. Rather than embracing diplomatic engagement, the UK government and opposition should be standing up to Trump’s divisive tactics and refusing to legitimise his interference in UK affairs.

This visit underscores a troubling pattern: a US president who exploits diplomatic milestones to bolster his own image, at the expense of UK interests and dignity. With Trump planning to open a golf course in Aberdeenshire in 2025—an event that should be provocative rather than celebratory—the government must reconsider its stance. The same reckless approach that sees us kowtowing to American political theatrics risks further entrenching a relationship that often undermines our sovereignty and values. True leadership means standing firm against such manipulations—something the current UK government consistently fails to do. Our interests are not served by pliant diplomacy; they are served by firm resistance and a determined push for genuine independence from foreign influence.

Source: Noah Wire Services