President Trump has warned Scotland not to make a bid for independence, arguing that it would be “terrible” decision — in part, it seems, because he believes that it would stop the Open golf championship being played north of the border.
Mr Trump also lamented the use of the term “UK”, saying: “You don’t hear the word ‘Britain’ any more. It’s very interesting. It’s like, nope.” He made the remarks in an interview with The Wall Street Journal a week ago and last night the transcript was published by the Politico website.
At one point Mr Trump asked: “Is Scotland going to go for the vote . . . It would be terrible. They just went through hell.” He added: “One little thing, what would they do with the British Open if they ever got out? They’d no longer have the British Open . . . Scotland. Keep it in Scotland.”
He appeared to be suggesting that the Open could no longer be played in Scotland should it leave the union. Mr Trump owns several golf courses, including Turnberry, in Scotland — which is on the Open rota. Last month the championship was held at Royal Birkdale in Southport, Merseyside.
He appeared bullish on the prospect of a UK-US trade deal, suggesting it could cover financial services and agriculture, but offered little detail. “We have a very good relationship. I have a very good relationship with the prime minister. And we are absolutely looking to do a major trade deal,” he said.
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He was asked if the deal “could kick in pretty much as soon as Brexit happens?” to which he replied: “As soon as it’s appropriate to have it kick in, absolutely. And it’ll be a big trade deal — much, much more business than we do right now, many, many times.”
He added that it “would include everything” and complained that the EU was “very, very protectionist”.
He also boasted about the success of a speech he had just given to a Boy Scout jamboree. “I got a call from the head of the Boy Scouts saying it was the greatest speech that was ever made to them,” he said. The head of the Boy Scouts of America later apologised after parents complained that Mr Trump had injected the jamboree with partisan political rhetoric.
