US President Donald Trump welcomed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to his family-owned Turnberry golf resort in Scotland on July 28, 2025, aiming to leverage his prized property to strengthen US-UK relations. Trump, who in 2019 claimed Turnberry “furthers” the bilateral relationship, hosted Starmer for talks before the PM’s visit to Aberdeen, where Trump’s new golf course opens August 13, 2025. Despite Starmer not being a golfer, the choice of venue underscores Trump’s belief in golf’s geopolitical influence.
The meeting follows a G7 trade agreement in Canada that slashed US tariffs on UK aerospace and reduced auto sector tariffs from 25% to 10%, while boosting US beef exports. Starmer’s office highlighted discussions on pressing global issues, including pushing for a Gaza ceasefire with Qatar and Egypt’s involvement and urging Russia’s Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace in Ukraine within 50 days. Starmer’s diplomatic charm, evident during his February 2025 White House visit where he presented a rare second state visit invitation from King Charles III, has kept relations warm despite protests in Balmedie and earlier anti-Trump demonstrations.
Trade remains a focus, with unresolved issues like UK steel tariffs lingering, though the US’s $11.4 billion trade surplus with Britain in 2024 bolsters Trump’s goodwill. The meeting, following Trump’s trade talks with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen at Turnberry, signals a strategic push to balance tariffs and diplomacy, with Trump’s September 2025 UK state visit looming.
Also Read: Trump’s US-EU Deal Locks in 15% Tariffs
Also Read: Bomb Threat by Passenger Triggers Panic on EasyJet Flight