Trump visit is in the public interest, says Chancellor
The visit of US President Donald Trump to Scotland is in the “public interest”, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said.
Mr Trump is due to touch down in Scotland on Friday evening ahead of a four-day visit, during which he will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney.
His meeting with Sir Keir is seen as a chance to refine the UK-US trade deal which came into force last month.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Rolls-Royce factory near Glasgow Airport on Friday morning, the Chancellor talked up the importance of the visit.
“It’s in Britain’s national interest to have strong relations with the US administration and as a result of both that long-term special relationship, but actually more importantly, the work that our Prime Minister Keir Starmer has done in building that relationship with President Trump has meant that we were the first country in the world to secure a trade deal,” she said.
“That has a tangible benefit for people here in Scotland, whether it is people working in the Scotch whisky industry or people working in the defence sector like here at Rolls-Royce, that trade deal means lower tariffs than any country in the world on things that we send to the US.”
“Misogynism, racism and xenophobia”
Ms Reeves dodged a question relating to senior ministers – including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray – supporting a motion when in opposition in 2019 calling for the president’s first state visit to be cancelled and accusing him of “misogynism, racism and xenophobia”.
Mr Trump is expected to visit both of his golf clubs in Scotland – in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire – during the visit, which has been described as “private” by the White House, before leaving on Tuesday.
His presence is likely to spark protests across the country, with Police Scotland being forced to request aid from other forces to help increase manpower for the trip.
In a carefully worded statement ahead of the visit, Mr Swinney said the focus it will bring to Scotland will allow people to have their voice heard on issues including “war and peace, justice and democracy”.
“Responsibility”
Mr Swinney added: “As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland’s voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world.
“That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.”
The First Minister said Scotland is a “proud democratic nation” that “stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world”.
He also urged those seeking to protest to do so peacefully.
“I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully,” Mr Swinney said.
“I am also confident that Scotland’s police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US president requires.
“This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.”
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Eh? Inviting a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist to the country?
You know the issues with Epstein right? The GOP have closed ranks around this guy to protect him JUST IN CASE he is mentioned in the worst of the files, they don’t know and we don’t, but are prepared to protect him. Really really got to be joking inviting this abhorrent person to the UK.
The bloke constantly rips off his own country and others. And those are his best qualities. You want to hear the witness statement’s and what ages they were.
Reeves can get lost.
He’s the democratically elected leader of the free world. If you don’t like that the answer is to end America’s reign as the leader of the free world.
Free? There’s not a lot of freedom in the States since he became President. Whole communities are scared to leave their homes in case they get picked up and deported. DOGE sacked thousands of people overnight, they have no recourse. Thousands of people are about to lose their health care. Even his supporters are being blocked from having access to the Epstein files, even though he campaigned on the release of the information. Where’s the freedom in any of that?
Yeah, about that. But a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist and by his own words abuses women. That sits right with you, that is your problem. Seems many people are shouty about forriners coming here and attacking people, except for Trump. Funny that.
And free world. Hows the concentration camps and disappearing people leaglly in the US going?
As far as I’m concerned Team America has fired itself from the self-imposed job of world police. Unfortunately it’s going to take time, money and diplomacy to replace that.
How can Trump’s visit be in the public interest ,for starters he’s been Named in the Jeffrey Epstein files and voice recordings as well as pictures are of dubious behaviour ,plus he’s been convicted in the US and he stands with Israel’s Genocide in Gaza supply weapons to the Zionist IDF ,please Explain how that can be in the public interest .