The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, is to meet US President Donald Trump in Scotland on Sunday as a trade deal between the EU and the United States appears close. Trump arrived in Scotland on Friday evening before the opening of his new golf course in Aberdeenshire. He is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday.
Speaking after landing, Trump said there was a “good 50-50 chance” of a deal and described von der Leyen as a “highly respected woman”. He identified around 20 sticking points but hinted the EU would need to offer more concessions, citing Japan’s success after making greater offers. Ireland’s taoiseach, Micheál Martin, said a deal would “hopefully be signed off before the weekend is over”.
Sources indicated Trump would not meet von der Leyen unless a deal was ready to be signed. The EU is reportedly resigned to an agreement in principle on 15% baseline tariffs, including on cars. Trump also hinted at widening the deal already struck with the UK in May, potentially eliminating the 25% tariff on steel. That UK deal reduced car tariffs from 27.5% to 10% in exchange for increased UK imports of beef and ethanol.
However, concerns have been raised domestically. Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers’ Union, said his “biggest worry” was that Starmer would allow in US dairy products using hormones banned in UK production. The ethanol industry also said it was fighting for survival against US imports. Meanwhile, Volkswagen reported a £1bn hit in the first half of the year due to Trump’s import tariffs.
Trump claimed he would secure deals with nearly all of the 60 countries he threatened with punitive tariffs by his self-imposed deadline next Friday. He also praised Starmer and Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, while criticising EU immigration levels and wind farms.
