Donald Trump has criticized the UK, saying it is 'sitting on top of gold' with North Sea oil but has chosen the way of 'loser' windmills. He set up a potential showdown with new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, but stressed 'he sounded terrific' and predicted the world leaders are 'going to have a very good relationship'.
Trump's remarks on UK energy
Speaking at the White House, Trump said: 'Two things are killing Europe. Number one is immigration. Number two is energy.' He added: 'When you look at the UK, they have one of the best energy fields in the world, North Sea oil. Now I think your new Prime Minister is going to actually open up the (North Sea), from what I hear.'
'I spoke to him, and he sounded terrific on this subject. But you open it up, you'll be a wealthy country. You keep it closed, you're going to be a bankrupt country, which is what you are now. Essentially, you're a bankrupt country.'
He continued: 'You're sitting on top of gold, better than gold, and you don't do anything with it.' Claiming that drilling North Sea oil could provide free energy for a millennium, he said: 'You have your choice. Not every country has that choice. Almost no country has that choice.'
Windmills and 'losers'
Trump also attacked wind power, saying: 'They have a problem with energy. They have windmills all over the place. Windmills, you lose your shirt. Any country with windmills is a loser. Okay, you just have to look. If they have windmills, they're a loser because you lose money with windmills.'
After his first phone call with Trump, Burnham said he would 'take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea'. Labour's 2024 manifesto said the party would not issue new North Sea licences, but Burnham appeared to indicate a shift in stance.
Political context
Ed Miliband, who held the energy and net zero brief under Sir Keir Starmer and was a strong supporter of the election pledge, has now taken the Foreign Secretary role. His successor as Energy Secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has said the manifesto was clear there is scope to exploit existing licences and that oil and gas are 'part of the mix' – but would not be drawn on whether there are plans to go further.
