Trump and Starmer to Meet in Scotland with Trade and Gaza on Agenda
Edinburgh, Scotland – July 28, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump will host British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his luxury golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland, on Monday for high-stakes discussions focusing on their recent bilateral trade agreement and the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to statements from both governments. The meeting, set against the backdrop of Trump’s sprawling Scottish estates, will also include a visit to another Trump-owned property near Aberdeen.
Trade Talks: A Done Deal or Room for Negotiation?
The talks follow a landmark US-UK trade agreement signed at the G7 summit in June, which reduced tariffs on British aerospace exports and lowered duties on auto-related goods from 25% to 10%. However, Starmer had hoped to negotiate a reduction in the 25% tariffs on British steel and aluminum, a key concern for the UK’s industrial sector. Trump, fresh off announcing a major trade deal with the European Union on Sunday, dismissed further concessions, stating the US-UK trade deal was “concluded” and ruling out changes to the 50% duties imposed on EU steel and aluminum. “It’s a great trade deal for both,” Trump said, emphasizing mutual benefits but signaling little room for additional negotiations.
British Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, speaking to the BBC, acknowledged the opportunity to advance the UK’s position but tempered expectations for immediate breakthroughs on tariffs. The UK, leveraging its post-Brexit trade flexibility, views the agreement as a success but remains keen to address remaining barriers, particularly for its steel industry, which faces significant economic impacts from the current tariffs.
Gaza Crisis: A Call for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid
The deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza casts a shadow over the meeting, with Starmer expected to press Trump on reviving ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. The war, which began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, has led to nearly 60,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, and displaced nearly the entire 2.2 million population, according to Gaza health officials. Recent reports highlight dozens of deaths from malnutrition, with aid agencies warning of mass starvation.
Starmer, who recalled his cabinet from summer recess for an emergency meeting on Sunday, is under pressure domestically and internationally to advocate for recognizing a Palestinian state. However, he has maintained that UK recognition would only occur as part of a negotiated peace deal, a stance that has disappointed some in his Labour Party who favor swifter action, as seen in recent moves by France, Spain, Norway, and Ireland.
Trump acknowledged Starmer’s focus on Israel, stating the U.S. would increase aid to Gaza but called for broader international participation. “They’re very much involved in terms of wanting something to happen,” Trump said of the UK’s position. Starmer is expected to welcome U.S. efforts with partners in Qatar and Egypt to broker a ceasefire and will urge further action to address the “unspeakable suffering and starvation” in Gaza, according to Number 10. Recent ceasefire talks in Qatar stalled after the U.S. and Israel withdrew their teams, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff citing Hamas’s “lack of desire” for a deal.
The UK has endorsed airdrops to deliver aid to Gaza, though these efforts have been criticized for their limited scale and risks to civilians. Business Secretary Reynolds defended the approach, stating, “We cannot wait, we have got to do something,” despite concerns about the safety and efficacy of airdrops. The controversial U.S.-Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has also drawn criticism for forcing Palestinians to navigate combat zones to access aid, with over 1,000 reported deaths at GHF sites.
Ukraine and Beyond
The agenda will also cover the war in Ukraine, with both leaders aiming to discuss strategies to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the conflict. Starmer’s office highlighted a shared commitment to arm Ukraine and force Putin to the table within the next 50 days, reflecting a sense of urgency in addressing the ongoing invasion.
A Complex Rapport
Despite their differing political backgrounds, Trump has praised Starmer for doing a “very good job,” signaling a positive personal rapport. The two leaders, who met previously at the G7 summit in Canada, will travel together from Turnberry to Aberdeen for a private engagement, underscoring the symbolic importance of the visit. However, protests planned by groups like “Stop Trump Scotland” and local sentiment critical of Trump’s politics may complicate the visit’s optics. Thousands of police officers have been deployed around Turnberry, marking one of Scotland’s largest security operations since the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Looking Ahead
The meeting comes as Trump balances personal business with diplomacy during his five-day Scottish visit, which follows a high-profile trade agreement with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. Starmer, arriving from Switzerland after England’s victory in the Women’s European Championship final, faces domestic pressure to address both trade and humanitarian issues decisively. As global attention remains fixed on Gaza and economic relations, the outcomes of these talks could shape transatlantic cooperation and the international response to one of the world’s most pressing crises.
Reporting by Reuters, with additional contributions from BBC and The Independent.