According to the Daily Mail, President Donald Trump is swinging for the fences with a high-stakes trade deal in Scotland that might just soften the blow of looming tariffs.
This week, he’s teeing off discussions at his Turnberry golf course with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, blending business with a touch of royal flair. It’s a prelude to a grand state visit in September to meet King Charles, and Trump’s got his eye on both trade wins and a regal spectacle.
At its core, this story is about Trump navigating trade negotiations with the UK over cars, digital services, and agriculture, while using his upcoming royal meeting as leverage for a softer approach.
Let’s rewind a bit—Trump and Starmer have been building a rapport, having met at the G7 summit in Canada, a NATO gathering, and even at the White House, where Starmer delivered a letter from King Charles. These aren’t just courtesy calls; they’re the groundwork for the meaty talks happening now at Turnberry. It’s clear Trump sees Starmer as a partner, even praising him with, “He’s a good man.”
But let’s not get too cozy—Trump’s known for playing hardball, posting tariff hikes online to rattle opponents, though he’s dialing it back with the UK for now. A source close to the White House told the Daily Mail, “Trump wants a successful state visit in September with no problems.” Well, isn’t that convenient—holding off the big sticks until after he gets his royal welcome?
The trade deal framework, hashed out back on May 8, offers a glimpse of hope with a quota of 100,000 UK cars like Jaguars and Land Rovers slapped with a 10% tariff instead of a punishing 25%. Meanwhile, U.S. cars still face a 10% tariff from the UK, and details on accompanying British auto parts are still up in the air. A White House official shrugged to the Daily Mail, “That’s something that may need to be hashed out.”
Other goods are on the table too, from industrial products to agricultural items like U.S. chicken—derisively dubbed “chlorinated chicken” by some British critics—and beef. Specifics on sanitary standards and what exactly the UK will accept remain murky. Another official mused, “Are they taking full chickens, or taking live chickens?”
Then there’s the digital services tax, a UK policy raking in over $1 billion last year that U.S. negotiators see as a direct hit on American tech giants—think of it as a “Google tax.” Trump’s already strong-armed Canada into dropping theirs, and an insider warned the Daily Mail, “The UK and the EU are next.” If he’s got the muscle to push Ottawa around, Westminster might want to take notes.
Trump’s broader trade strategy isn’t exactly a love letter to the world—he’s sent out 25 letters establishing a 15% baseline tariff on goods entering the U.S., and last month imposed a whopping 50% Section 232 tariff on steel and aluminum globally, with the UK catching a 25% hit. British jet engines got a pass, and there’s talk of easing up on UK pharmaceuticals, but Starmer’s team is pushing hard to lower those metal tariffs. It’s a game of give-and-take, but Trump’s holding most of the cards.
On the agricultural front, both sides have agreed to “work constructively” on market access for products like U.S. poultry, though the devil’s in the details. Will British consumers stomach American beef and chicken under their strict standards? That’s a question still hanging over Turnberry like a Scottish fog.
Let’s not forget Trump’s obsession with pomp—he’s gunning for a state visit in September that outshines his first-term welcome by Queen Elizabeth. It’s no secret he’s keen on a grand royal reception, and that might just be why he’s playing nice with the UK on trade for now. A little pageantry for a lot of policy leverage—sounds like a deal he’d make.
History offers some optimism on trade fronts like distilled spirits, where zero tariffs between 1997 and 2018 boosted bilateral trade by 212% to $1.4 billion. A UK retaliatory 25% tariff on U.S. whiskeys in 2018 and 2021 tanked exports by 41%, but once lifted, exports climbed to $137 million in 2024. With industry leaders from both sides meeting this weekend to push for zero tariffs, there’s a shot at repeating past successes.
Trump himself is upbeat, calling the trade agreement “a great deal for both” in a recent statement. But let’s not pop the champagne yet—while he’s lauding Starmer as someone who “got a trade deal done,” the unresolved issues like digital taxes and agricultural standards could still sour the mood. Optimism is fine, but realism keeps the scoreboard honest.
Speaking of Turnberry, Trump’s choice of venue isn’t just about convenience—he’s eager to land the British Open for the course, which hasn’t hosted it since he bought the property. Mixing trade with personal ambition? That’s Trump’s playbook, and it’s hard to fault a man for wanting to showcase his pride and joy while sealing a deal.
Ultimately, these talks are a balancing act between economic interests and diplomatic flair, with Trump eyeing both a trade win and a royal feather in his cap. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the Turnberry meeting as a chance “to refine the historic U.S.-U.K. trade deal.” Let’s hope the refinement doesn’t get lost in the glitz of crowns and golf greens.
For now, the road to September’s state visit is paved with tariffs, tech taxes, and the tantalizing prospect of a deal that could benefit both nations. If Trump can keep his softer touch with the UK while pushing his “America First” agenda, this could be a rare win-win. But in a world of trade wars, nothing’s guaranteed until the ink dries.
