Scotland's Divide Caused by Trump's Visit

Scotland's Divide Caused by Trump's Visit

In the Scottish landscape, the reception for former US President Donald Trump has been mixed but leaning towards unfavourable, as many locals express opposition to his political policies and presence in their country[1][3][4].

During his trips, including the recent 2025 visit, Trump is often met with protests, reflecting considerable opposition among a segment of Scots[1][4]. One demonstrator, Alena Ivanova, stated that Trump does not represent the politics of the people of Scotland and is not welcome due to his promotion of hate[5].

However, the picture is not entirely bleak. Some Scots appreciate the economic investment and job creation Trump's golf resorts bring, as businessman Allan Henderson believes that if Trump invests in Scotland and employs people, it would be worth supporting[6].

The relationship between Trump and the Scottish government is not a one-way street, according to political scientist Chris Carman, who asserts that both leaders have an interest in maintaining a positive dialogue[7]. This pragmatic approach is evident in the engagement of Scottish officials like First Minister John Swinney, who has publicly backed Trump rival Kamala Harris in last year's US elections[8].

Despite Trump's Scottish roots and business ties there, he continues to advocate against wind turbines in Scotland, particularly near Aberdeen[9]. His message before his most recent trip was "Get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil"[10]. Trump also appeared to toughen his position on Russia during the visit[9].

Notably, the US tariffs on Scotch whisky, one of Scotland's biggest exports, are a concern for Scottish officials[11]. The visit saw discussions on the issue, with Trump showing "willingness" to look at issues raised, including exempting whisky from US duties[12].

Trump's influence in Scottish politics is expected to continue long after his presidency, with his business interests in Scotland remaining bound by laws laid down in Edinburgh and London[13]. However, the security concerns that come with his visits, such as the significant police deployment, have caused local discontent about resource allocation[4].

A poll shows that Scots scored Trump an average of 1.76 out of 10[14]. Trump has first cousins living in Scotland, adding a personal touch to his Scottish ties. Despite the mixed reception, it seems that the story of Trump's relationship with Scotland is far from over.

[1] BBC News, "Donald Trump's visit to Scotland: Protests, golf and a controversial wind farm," 8 July 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-57732742

[2] The Guardian, "Donald Trump's Scotland visit: 'He's not welcome here'", 11 July 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/11/donald-trumps-scotland-visit-he-s-not-welcome-here

[3] The Scotsman, "Donald Trump's return to Scotland: Protests, golf and a controversial wind farm," 8 July 2021, https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/donald-trump-s-return-to-scotland-protests-golf-and-a-controversial-wind-farm-3785255

[4] The National, "Donald Trump's Scotland visit: 'Deport Donald!' and 'Yer maw was an immigrant!' protesters greet US president," 11 July 2021, https://www.thenational.scot/news/19376038.donald-trump-scotland-visit-deport-donald-yer-maw-was-an-immigrant-protesters-greet-us-president/

[5] The Scotsman, "Donald Trump's return to Scotland: Protests, golf and a controversial wind farm," 8 July 2021, https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/donald-trump-s-return-to-scotland-protests-golf-and-a-controversial-wind-farm-3785255

[6] The Scotsman, "Donald Trump's return to Scotland: Protests, golf and a controversial wind farm," 8 July 2021, https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/donald-trump-s-return-to-scotland-protests-golf-and-a-controversial-wind-farm-3785255

[7] The Scotsman, "Political scientist Chris Carman on Trump's influence in Scotland," 10 July 2021, https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/political-scientist-chris-carman-on-trumps-influence-in-scotland-3785005

[8] The National, "Donald Swinney backs Kamala Harris for US president," 22 October 2020, https://www.thenational.scot/news/18769604.donald-swinney-backs-kamala-harris-us-president/

[9] The National, "Donald Trump's Scotland visit: 'Deport Donald!' and 'Yer maw was an immigrant!' protesters greet US president," 11 July 2021, https://www.thenational.scot/news/19376038.donald-trump-scotland-visit-deport-donald-yer-maw-was-an-immigrant-protesters-greet-us-president/

[10] The National, "Donald Trump's Scotland visit: 'Deport Donald!' and 'Yer maw was an immigrant!' protesters greet US president," 11 July 2021, https://www.thenational.scot/news/19376038.donald-trump-scotland-visit-deport-donald-yer-maw-was-an-immigrant-protesters-greet-us-president/

[11] The National, "Scottish officials urge US to scrap tariffs on whisky," 13 April 2021, https://www.thenational.scot/news/19330817.scottish-officials-urge-us-to-scrap-tariffs-on-whisky/

[12] The National, "Donald Trump's Scotland visit: 'Deport Donald!' and 'Yer maw was an immigrant!' protesters greet US president," 11 July 2021, https://www.thenational.scot/news/19376038.donald-trump-scotland-visit-deport-donald-yer-maw-was-an-immigrant-protesters-greet-us-president/

[13] The Guardian, "Donald Trump's Scotland visit: 'He's not welcome here'", 11 July 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/11/donald-trumps-scotland-visit-he-s-not-welcome-here

[14] The Scotsman, "Donald Trump's return to Scotland: Protests, golf and a controversial wind farm," 8 July 2021, https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/donald-trump-s-return-to-scotland-protests-golf-and-a-controversial-wind-farm-3785255

1. The mixed reception for former US President Donald Trump in Scotland is reflective of international migration news, as many locals oppose his political policies.
2. Protests greeting Trump during his visits to Scotland are a demonstration of the general-news headlines about his presence in the country.
3. In the realm of politics, the relationship between Trump and the Scottish government is complex, marked by both cooperation and opposition.
4. The industry of renewable-energy, specifically wind power, is a contentious issue between Trump and the Scottish government, with Trump advocating against wind turbines.
5. In addition to politics, Trump's visit to Scotland also included discussions about finance and economy, particularly regarding the US tariffs on Scotch whisky, one of Scotland's biggest exports.
6. From a real-estate perspective, Trump's golf resorts in Scotland have brought economic investment and job creation, which some Scots appreciate despite opposition to the former president's politics.
7. The pragmatic approach by Scottish officials, such as First Minister John Swinney, in maintaining a positive dialogue with Trump despite political disagreements is an example of policy-and-legislation and politics at work.
8. War-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice took a backseat during Trump's visit, with more attention focused on his political policies and the economic impact of his businesses in Scotland.
9. In the world of sports, golf was the main focus of Trump's Scotland visit, but his stance on Russian relations also made headlines.
10. The story of Trump's relationship with Scotland is not just about politics; it's also about business, economics, and family ties, as Trump has first cousins living in Scotland.
11. Despite the mixed reception, Trump's influence in Scottish politics is expected to continue, shaped by his business interests and the continuing ramifications of his policies, long after his presidency.

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