The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, met with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday.
The President was on a private tour of his golf courses in Scotland, but mixed business with pleasure.
The meeting with Mr Swinney took place at MacLeod House on the Menie Estate ahead of the official opening of the second golf course at Trump International.
During his meeting with President Trump, Mr Swinney urged the President to consider economic protections for Scotland’s whisky and salmon sector, including an exemption for whisky from the 10% tariff applied on UK exports into the US.
The First Minister was also unequivocal in demanding action to tackle the “unbearable, unjust and inhumane” situation unfolding in Gaza, as he urged the President to use his immense influence to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis.
During their meeting, the First Minister also stressed Scotland’s unwavering support for the people of Ukraine, urging President Trump to stand firm in defence of democracy and peace against Russian aggression.
Mr Swinney also presented the President with a proposal to provide Edinburgh Airport with US Customs pre-clearance facilities which the First Minister said would help “demonstrate the strength of America’s enduring relationship with its friend and partner, Scotland”.
Speaking after the meeting, the First Minister said: “During our discussions, I was able to represent the interests and values of Scotland directly with the President, specifically, urging him to make the case for tariff exemptions for our world class whisky and salmon sector. I believe there is now a window of opportunity to make the case for whisky and at the invitation of the President, I intend to make further representation to him on this matter.
“I implored President Trump to use his immense influence on the Israeli government to end the unbearable, unjust, and inhumane situation unfolding in Gaza, and to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis we are witnessing.
“As a proud country that stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, I urged President Trump to help make those ideals – American ideals – a reality for the people of Ukraine. Scotland has consistently stood with the people of Ukraine in defence of freedom, peace and a just society, and we want to see a world where those principles apply to all.”
President Trump has also met with the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and also the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.
The Prime Minister, who travelled to Aberdeen with President Trump on Air Force One, discussed Gaza and the need for urgent action there to bring an end to the suffering “which has reached new depths”. They agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire to pave the way for peace. The Prime Minister welcomed the President’s efforts to secure this. He also shared plans he is working on with other European leaders to bring about a lasting peace.
The two leaders also agreed that they must maintain momentum to bring about an end to the war with Russian and they discussed plans for the President’s upcoming State Visit to the UK in September.
The White House has made its own announcements about the deals which President Trump on behalf of the United States has entered into during his visit and they have posted this montage below. The US President is leaving Scotland to return to The White House on Tuesday afternoon.
