EDINBURGH/LONDON – U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Scotland on Friday for a visit combining leisure and diplomacy, as he seeks to finalize a major trade deal with the European Union. The trip comes amid persistent scrutiny over his past association with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019. Trump plans to visit his Scottish golf resorts and hold talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whom he praised as a “highly respected woman.”
Upon landing, Trump told reporters there was a “50-50 chance” of securing a trade agreement with the EU, calling it potentially the largest deal of his administration. However, he acknowledged “sticking points” on “maybe 20 different things” in negotiations with Brussels. He described his upcoming meeting with Starmer as more of a celebration of an existing trade deal rather than further negotiations, declaring it “a great deal for both” sides. Von der Leyen confirmed she would meet Trump on Sunday.
EU diplomats suggest a potential deal could involve a 15% tariff on EU goods, aligning with a recent U.S.-Japan agreement and far below the 30% Trump has threatened to impose by August 1. The president has aggressively reshaped global trade policy, slapping 10% tariffs on most U.S. trading partners in April and warning of steeper hikes. While Trump claims these measures will shrink the trade deficit and boost revenue, economists caution they risk fueling inflation.
The trip unfolds against the backdrop of mounting political pressure over Trump’s ties to Epstein, whose 2019 jailhouse death remains shrouded in controversy. Frustrated by repeated questions on the matter, Trump dismissed the issue as overblown and redirected attention toward other high-profile figures linked to Epstein, including former President Bill Clinton. “You make it a very big thing over something that’s not a big thing,” he told reporters in Scotland.
As Trump balances trade diplomacy with damage control, his Scottish itinerary underscores his trademark blend of business and personal interests. With global markets bracing for potential tariff shocks and domestic critics amplifying ethical concerns, the president’s overseas trip encapsulates the high-stakes turbulence of his second term. The outcome of EU negotiations—and the lingering Epstein fallout—could significantly shape the political and economic landscape in the weeks ahead.