EDINBURGH, Scotland – July 26, 2025
United States President Donald Trump, currently on a golf trip in Scotland, expressed cautious optimism today regarding a potential trade deal with the European Union, stating there’s a “50-50 chance, maybe less than that” of an agreement being reached. His comments come just days before an August 1st deadline set by his administration, after which many countries face steep tariff hikes unless trade pacts are finalized. Meanwhile, his presence in Scotland has been met with widespread protests across the nation.
Speaking from his Turnberry golf resort, President Trump underscored the necessity for the EU to lower its tariffs to secure a deal. “I don’t want to hurt countries, but we’re going to send a letter out sometime during the week, and it’s basically going to say, ‘You’re going to pay 10 percent, you’re going to pay 15 percent, you’re going to pay maybe less,’ I don’t know,” Trump told reporters. This statement reinforces his administration’s stance on “reciprocal tariffs,” aiming to level the playing field for American goods.
The EU, for its part, has already approved a retaliatory package valued at $109 billion, ready to be implemented should a deal not materialize by the deadline. European officials have reportedly indicated a willingness to consider a 15% U.S. baseline tariff rate, potentially with carve-outs for key sectors, as negotiations intensify. The ongoing talks are crucial to avert a full-blown transatlantic trade war, which economists warn could significantly impact global growth.
Trump’s visit to Scotland, where his late mother was born, has been far from a quiet getaway. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Edinburgh and Aberdeen today, voicing their strong opposition to his policies and criticizing UK leaders for engaging with the American President. Organized by groups like the “Stop Trump Coalition,” protesters carried signs with slogans such as “No red carpet for dictators,” “We don’t want you here,” and “Stop Trump. Migrants welcome.” Some also displayed “Free Gaza” signs, connecting their protest to broader global issues.
In Edinburgh, protesters amassed outside the U.S. Consulate, with speakers condemning Trump and also criticizing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for a recent trade deal with the US, which they view as a concession to avoid higher American tariffs. Similar demonstrations took place in Aberdeen, where Scottish Parliament member Maggie Chapman told crowds, “We stand in solidarity, not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for.”
Despite the protests and the looming trade deadline, President Trump continued with his golfing schedule, under tight security measures. His meeting with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the weekend is expected to be a decisive push in the high-stakes trade negotiations, determining whether a compromise can be reached or if a new era of increased tariffs will begin.
