Donald Trump recently visited Scotland, where he indulged in golfing at one of his own courses while simultaneously engaging in diplomatic talks regarding ongoing border conflicts between Cambodia and Thailand. The visit coincided with protests across the UK, as various groups expressed their opposition to Trump’s policies and presence.
Trump’s personal connections to Scotland run deep. His late mother originally hailed from the area, making this visit all the more special. The trip was met with a lot of protest, especially at the golf course where he played. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of the US Consulate in Edinburgh on Saturday, voicing their concerns about Trump’s political actions and international decisions. Protests soon followed across a wave of cities around the UK.
Protests Across the UK
The Women’s March protests against Trump focused on many of these issues. Environmental activists call for environmental justice, touch on the situation of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and stand in solidarity with Ukraine. Those activists came together around a shared message of resistance towards Trump and his administration, and they raised a ton of noise.
Mark Gorman, a local resident, articulated the sentiment shared by many Scots:
“The vast majority of Scots have this sort of feeling about Trump that, even though he has Scottish roots, he’s a disgrace.”
June Osbourne, a fellow protester, on the international ramifications of Trump’s Muslim ban,
“I think there are far too many countries that are feeling the pressure of Trump and that they feel that they have to accept him and we should not accept him here.”
Amy White, a demonstrator, expressed her resolve to take action against Trump’s visit:
“I don’t think I could just stand by and not do anything.”
This powerful act of opposition is an expression of the prejudice against Trump’s politics that runs deep among many ordinary British citizens.
Golfing and Diplomacy
Despite the protests waiting for him, Trump was undisturbed, accomplished a continued intent on his golfing pursuits during a revisit to one of his dual Scottish courses. His trip will include a stop at a second golf course, located outside the city of Aberdeen in northeast Scotland. On Friday, Trump made his announcement official, posting on Truth Social. Asserting his deep will for peace, he stressed the importance of his discussions with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and a peaceful resolution between Cambodia and Thailand.
Trump expressed optimism about the potential for peace in the region, noting that after conversations with both parties, “Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!”
“Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand.”
After his trip to Scotland, Trump will head back to Washington on Tuesday. His agenda has him huddling on trilateral trade with UK Labour leader Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In doing so, he has signaled unequivocally that he will not go after any trade agreement with Cambodia. Under his initiative, he will suspend military accords with Thailand until the violence stops.
“Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE.”
Maggie Chapman, a protest organizer, encapsulated the broader resistance to Trump’s influence:
Future Plans and Trade Discussions
Following his visit to Scotland, Trump will return to Washington on Tuesday. His agenda includes discussions about trade with UK Labour leader Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen. However, he has made it clear that he will not pursue any trade agreements with either Cambodia or Thailand until the fighting ceases.
Maggie Chapman, a protest organizer, encapsulated the broader resistance to Trump’s influence:
“We stand in solidarity, not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for.”
