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President Donald Trump hosted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Monday at his luxury Turnberry golf course, where the two leaders discussed global crises in Gaza and Ukraine, future trade policy, and expanding tariffs—all while surrounded by gilded windows and manicured greens.
The high-profile summit offered a mix of geopolitics and spectacle, with Trump using the moment to showcase his Scottish property, blending diplomacy with a carefully staged display of personal branding.
A Golf Course and a Global Crisis
Upon arrival, Starmer and his wife Victoria were greeted by Trump, who lavished praise on the opulence of his golf resort. Yet the mood turned serious as the pair faced mounting international pressure to address humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Starmer bluntly described the territory’s worsening food crisis as “desperate,” pushing the U.S. to lead in easing the humanitarian blockade.
Trump, initially defensive about U.S. food aid contributions, softened his tone after being shown images of starving children. “Those children look very hungry,” he said, distancing himself from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s downplaying of the crisis.
“I want [Netanyahu] to make sure they get the food,” Trump said, signaling a possible shift in U.S. pressure on Israel.
Balancing Aid and Image
Trump’s comments marked his strongest public statement yet suggesting that Israel bears “a lot of responsibility” for Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe.
The U.S. and U.K. both contribute significant humanitarian aid to the region. Starmer confirmed that Britain would join Jordan-led airdrops, after Israel temporarily relaxed restrictions.
While Trump’s remarks may hint at a recalibration of policy, his setting—a luxury golf estate—highlighted the ongoing tension between substance and spectacle that defines his foreign engagements.
Starmer Navigates U.S. Relations with a Smile
Despite being a non-golfer, Starmer gamely participated in the pageantry, praising Turnberry’s “amazing” design and joking with Trump about inviting him to a football match.
Throughout the joint press conference, the prime minister treaded carefully, engaging with Trump’s populist leanings while signaling support for global norms.
“We focus on what’s important for our two countries,” Starmer said. “That’s why we get along very well.”
He also faced pressure from within his Labour Party to recognize a Palestinian state, a move the U.S. has historically opposed. Asked about it, Trump said, “I don’t mind him taking a position,” allowing the U.K. leader room to maneuver.
Ukraine and Trade Take Center Stage
The leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, where Trump reiterated his desire to “force” a ceasefire within a 50-day window—a plan Starmer appeared to cautiously endorse. Trump then floated a new idea: halting the fighting for 10 to 12 days to “test the waters” for negotiations.
They also reviewed their recent bilateral trade framework, announced last month, which includes a preliminary 15% tariff structure on goods between the U.S. and U.K. However, talks remain stalled on key issues like steel and automobile imports.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has urged Trump to exempt Scotch whisky from tariffs. Trump replied coyly, “I’m not a big whiskey drinker. But maybe I should be when I’m over here.”
Protests and Political Shadows
Outside the golf course, demonstrators protested Trump’s presence, accusing him of undermining democratic institutions.
“He is trashing what two generations of our people have fought wars to preserve,” said Jean Abbott, a 67-year-old protester in Balmedie, near Trump’s second Scottish golf course.
Trump, undeterred, will cut the ribbon on a third Scottish golf course Tuesday—a symbolic gesture reinforcing how much his personal brand is now entwined with the geopolitical stage.
Personal Jabs and Political Theater
During the press availability, Trump took swings at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, calling him “a nasty person.” Starmer replied with a laugh: “He’s a friend of mine, actually.”
Trump also brushed aside questions about the Jeffrey Epstein case, renewed his feud with the Federal Reserve over interest rates, and railed against wind farms—a familiar local controversy that once led him to sue Scotland over turbines near Turnberry.
The meeting ended with Trump boarding Air Force One with Starmer for a quick flight to Aberdeen, ahead of the new golf course’s Tuesday debut.
