Stephen Flynn, the SNP's Westminster leader, has suggested that responding "in kind" to Donald Trump's tariff threats would be a more effective approach than boycotting the World Cup. He described the football tournament as "somewhat small fry" in the face of the "extremely serious" global situation.
Mr Flynn was speaking amid heightened tensions between the US and Europe over Mr Trump's plans to take control of Greenland. The US president has threatened to impose 10% tariffs on Britain and other European allies from February 1 unless they agree to his purchase of the island, and has not ruled out using military force to seize it.
Some MPs have called for a boycott of the World Cup in response to Mr Trump's actions. But Mr Flynn, appearing on BBC Radio Scotland's Breakfast programme, said: "There's maybe a thought process among some that that's something that Donald Trump's going to be interested in, but I would simply say to them that when the president's seeking to impose tariffs upon European nations, including of course Britain itself, the strength of response is more likely to be acknowledged if we respond in kind. That's something which the European Union is, of course, looking at in great detail."
Scotland are preparing for their first men's World Cup appearance since 1998, having qualified for the tournament in North America this summer. Mr Flynn quipped: "Without being flippant, we have boycotted the World Cup proactively since 1998 and I'm not entirely sure that's a route that we want to go down again."
Highlighting the seriousness of the moment, Mr Flynn said he preferred "serious and committed international dialogue" with European allies and countries such as Canada, where he praised Prime Minister Mark Carney's "fantastic leadership". He added: "We need to make sure that we work together proactively to stand firm and show strength, which is something which I think Donald Trump as president would recognise and respond to."
