Trump meets EU president for trade talks after round of golf

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Donald Trump has met with the EU Commission president for trade talks after playing a round of golf on the second full day of his visit to Scotland.

The US president shook hands with Ursula von der Leyen in the ballroom of his luxury Turnberry resort, saying he expected to agree the "biggest deal" either had ever struck.

Von der Leyen agreed, saying Trump was known as a "tough negotiator and deal-maker" and that she looked forward to discussions.

Journalists also asked Trump whether Israel should be doing more to allow food into Gaza, where more than 100 people have died from malnutrition since the war began.

Trump did not answer the question directly, instead saying the US had given $60m two weeks ago for food "and nobody even acknowledged [it]". "You should at least say thank you," he added.

Despite showery conditions, the US president finished 18 holes at the resort earlier with guests and family, including his son Eric.

He was followed by around two dozen buggies, many of which carried bodyguards and other staff.

Trump said he had enjoyed the golf in "beautiful Scotland", but said he was "not in a good mood" as he sat next to Von der Leyen.

He reiterated that there was a 50-50 chance that a trade deal would be struck "in about an hour" between the US and the EU.

"This is the biggest deal. People don't realise. This is bigger than other deal," he said.

"We have great countries, great countries, I'm familiar with many of them, so are you, and this is really the biggest deal.

Von der Leyen met with First Minister John Swinney on Saturday and thanked him for a "warm welcome in Scotland" in a post on Instagram.

Trump is expected to meet UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday and Swinney on Tuesday, and is due to open a second 18-hole course at his estate in Aberdeenshire.

Earlier a small group of pro-Trump protesters gathered in the grounds of the resort with a placard which read "President Trump don't trust Starmer".

As Trump passed by, they shouted "we love you Trump," while the BBC's Scotland editor James Cook asked the president if he had finalised a trade deal with the European Union.

The resort is ringed by dozens of police officers and a steel fence, as part of a major security operation for the visit.

EPA

Minutes after arriving in Scotland on Friday, Trump talked about the potential for a trade deal between the EU and United States, telling reporters there was a 50-50 chance of reaching an agreement.

Brussels, he claimed, wanted to "make a deal very badly".

Senior EU officials are also sounding positive about the prospect of establishing at least the framework of a pact.

If the talks collapse though the result could be a trade war — with Trump threatening 30% tariffs on EU goods — and the EU promising to respond in kind.

European Commission's Audiovisual Service

The first two days of Trump's visit have passed largely without incident.

Several roads remain closed around Turnberry while police and military personnel have been carrying out checks in the resort.

A security checkpoint has been put in place outside the hotel and a large fence has been erected around the course.

Hundreds of anti-Trump protesters gathered in Aberdeen and Edinburgh to demonstrate their frustrations towards the president's politics - including his views on climate change and his position on the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

Trump is expected to meet Starmer on Monday before officially opening his new golf course at Menie in Aberdeenshire.

The US has a blanket 10% tariff on imports from countries around the world.

In May, Starmer struck a deal with the president to reduce tariffs on some British goods entering the US and it is expected their discussions will centre on this subject.

Meanwhile Swinney has said a meeting with Trump would present an opportunity to "essentially speak out for Scotland" on issues such as trade and the increase of business from the United States in Scotland.

The first minister said he would also raise "significant international issues" including "the awfulness of the situation in Gaza".

Trump will travel back to Washington on Tuesday and is due to return to the UK for an official state visit in September.