Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to meet the U.S. President on Sunday, who has identified "20 key obstacles" in the ongoing negotiations.
Intensive talks were ongoing on Saturday between the EU and the US ahead of a crucial meeting in Scotland between Donald Trump and the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, aimed at avoiding a damaging trade war.
Trump, who spent the night at his privately owned Turnberry golf resort during a personal visit, took the opportunity to criticise European leaders over wind turbines and immigration, warning that Europe may cease to exist unless action is taken.
“I have two messages for Europe. Stop using wind turbines – they’re destroying your countries. I genuinely mean it, it’s tragic. When you fly over, you see these turbines scattered everywhere, spoiling your beautiful landscapes and killing birds,” he said. “And on immigration, you really need to sort yourselves out. Otherwise, there won’t be a Europe left,” he added.
On Saturday morning, Donald Trump skipped a planned press briefing with journalists who had accompanied him on Air Force One, opting instead for a round of golf at his coastal course, where music blared from the buggy he was driving.
Sky News, positioned near the course, reported that the songs included Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl, Elaine Paige’s Memory, and Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge over Troubled Water.
Although officially described as a four-day family visit to Scotland, Trump is also holding meetings with European leaders and the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, sparking optimism for renewed and improved trade agreements with both the EU and the UK.
Regarding the possibility of an EU trade agreement, the US President stated there were “20 sticking points”. When pressed for details, he replied: “Well, I don’t want to tell you what the sticking points are.”
He referred to Ursula von der Leyen as a “highly respected woman” and said their Sunday meeting would be “good”, estimating the likelihood of a deal at “a good 50-50”.
It is understood that von der Leyen and her team will arrive on Saturday, while the European Trade Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, is expected to join on Sunday morning.
The proposed deal is anticipated to include a provisional agreement on 15% tariff rates for exports such as automobiles, though a 50% tariff on steel is likely to remain. A potential breakthrough is also expected on pharmaceuticals, with a suggested export tariff of 15%.
Although this would contravene a longstanding World Trade Organization agreement stipulating zero tariffs on medicines, it is a significant shift from the 200% tariff Trump had threatened to impose on pharmaceuticals earlier this month.
Such a move would have sparked a highly damaging trade war—not only with Ireland, home to many US multinationals—but also with Germany, Denmark, Belgium, France, and Spain.
Von der Leyen’s spokesperson, Paula Pinho, stated: “Intensive negotiations at both the technical and political levels have been ongoing between the EU and the US. Leaders will now assess the situation and explore the potential for a balanced outcome that offers stability and predictability for businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.”
The meeting is expected to take place in Aberdeenshire and will be followed by a series of discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, amid hopes he will build upon the basic trade agreement reached in May.
Trump’s arrival in Scotland has prompted the largest security operation since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. More than 5,000 police officers and security staff are involved in the four-day visit, with heightened precautions following last year’s assassination attempt on the president.
Tall perimeter fencing has been installed around the coastal golf course, with naval vessels patrolling the shoreline, security drones flying overhead, and dozens of security personnel positioned throughout the resort early on Saturday.
This significant security presence may signal what to expect later in August, when US Vice-President JD Vance and his family are due to holiday in the Cotswolds, reportedly in the village of Charlbury.
Locals who previously opposed the expansion of Trump’s golf course have questioned who is covering the cost of the extensive security measures.
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