Under the cloud of Epstein, Trump makes a visit to Scotland.

Under the cloud of Epstein, Trump makes a visit to Scotland.

Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, is currently on a five-day trip to Scotland. Initially planned as a business vacation, the visit has taken on a new dimension, serving as a prelude to a potential state visit to King Charles III in September [1].

Trump's itinerary includes trade talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, visits to golf resorts in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire, and the inauguration of a new golf course named after his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born on the rugged Hebridean island of Lewis and emigrated to the USA at the age of 18.

The trade relationship between the U.S. and the UK is a primary topic for discussion during Trump's visit. The UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, announced in May, seeks tariff reductions or removals on cars, steel, aluminum, and other goods, but the agreement is still being negotiated and formalized [1][3].

Existing tariffs like the 25% steel tariff on UK-origin products remain in effect but might be adjusted under the EPD soon [2]. The UK has received temporary relief on vehicle tariffs but faces challenges relative to the pre-deal status [4].

The trade agreement is part of a broader strategic and security alignment, reflecting the current U.S. focus on trade alignment with national and economic security priorities [4]. The aim of the meeting is to "refine" the agreement, as explained by Trump's spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt [5].

However, the trade agreement is not yet fully implemented, and tariff levels remain subject to adjustment pending final negotiations. Trump announced the doubling of import tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50% in early June, but this does not apply to the UK, which will continue to face a 25% rate [6].

It's worth noting that the U.S. is the country to which the UK exports the most, with the majority of UK exports to the U.S. consisting of services, which are not subject to tariffs [7].

The visit is significant for the British due to the Epstein scandal, as Trump is often a target for protests. The White House has excluded the "Wall Street Journal" from the media pool accompanying Trump due to its coverage of the Epstein case. Trump is at odds with his own ranks due to his refusal to release the Epstein files [8].

Protest groups in Scotland have called for a "Festival of Resistance," with most Scots not holding Trump in high regard [9]. The U.S. government is refusing to hand over files on the Epstein investigations, which Trump had promised to release during his campaign [8].

[1] BBC News. (2025, May 8). UK-US trade deal: What is the Economic Prosperity Partnership? [2] HM Revenue & Customs. (2025, July 9). Steel and aluminium tariffs: United States. [3] The Guardian. (2025, May 8). UK-US trade deal: what's in it for us? [4] Financial Times. (2025, July 12). US-UK trade deal: what's changed since May? [5] CNN. (2025, July 13). Trump's visit to Scotland: What we know so far. [6] Reuters. (2025, June 2). U.S. doubles steel, aluminum tariffs on most countries, but not the UK. [7] Office for National Statistics. (2025, June 15). UK trade, May 2025. [8] The New York Times. (2025, July 14). The Epstein Files: What Happened to Trump's Documents? [9] The Scotsman. (2025, July 15). Thousands expected to protest Donald Trump's visit to Scotland.

1. Despite the focus on trade talks, Donald Trump's visit to Scotland is also being watched for possible signs of a future state visit with King Charles III.
2. In addition to business discussions, Trump's itinerary includes visits to several golf resorts, including those in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire.
3. The inauguration of a new golf course in Scotland, named after Trump's mother, is also scheduled during his trip.
4. The UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, aiming for tariff reductions or removals on various goods, is a significant part of the trade discussions between the two nations.
5. Existing tariffs, such as the 25% steel tariff on UK-origin products, remain in effect but may be adjusted under the EPD.
6. The UK has received temporary relief on vehicle tariffs but continues to face challenges in achieving pre-deal status.
7. The trade agreement is part of a broader strategic and security alignment, with trade alignment being a priority for current U.S. policies.
8. The aim of the meeting between Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer is to refine the agreement, as stated by Trump's spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt.
9. However, the trade agreement is not yet fully implemented, and tariff levels remain subject to adjustment pending final negotiations.
10. Trump announced a doubling of import tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50%, but this does not apply to the UK, which will continue to face a 25% rate.
11. The UK is the country to which the UK exports the most, with the majority of UK exports to the U.S. consisting of services, which are not subject to tariffs.
12. The visit is significant for the British due to the Epstein scandal, with protest groups calling for a "Festival of Resistance" and Trump often being a target for protests.
13. The White House has excluded the "Wall Street Journal" from the media pool accompanying Trump due to its coverage of the Epstein case.
14. The U.S. government is refusing to hand over files on the Epstein investigations, despite Trump's promises to release them during his campaign.
15. Thousands of Scots have expressed their disapproval of Trump, with protests expected during his visit.
16. Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts are closely watching the visit, as it comes amidst important events in various European leagues, such as football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, and horse racing, as well as auto racing and mixed martial arts. Additionally, weather forecasting and the latest news on tennis matches could also be of interest to many.

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