Protests as Trump visits Scotland

LONDON/EDINBURGH — Hundreds of people took to the streets of Aberdeen and Edinburgh on Saturday to protest the arrival of US President Donald Trump during his five-day visit to Scotland.

A heavy police presence was maintained outside the Trump Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire, as authorities prepared for potential risks, including terrorism-related threats. Sky News reported that Scottish police had requested support from other parts of Britain to bolster security.

Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said that it would be "inappropriate" to overlook last year's assassination attempt on Trump while planning security for the visit. She described the operation as one of the most complex and challenging tasks that Scottish police have undertaken in years, with the cost expected to be "significant".

A group called "UK Stop Trump Coalition" posted videos on TikTok on Saturday, with one clip captioned, "Aberdeen is filling up with protesters against Donald Trump's golfing visit."

Protesters held signs reading "FELON 47 NOT WELCOME HERE", referencing Trump's criminal conviction, and displayed photos of Trump alongside Jeffrey Epstein.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the William Wallace statue in central Aberdeen, where speakers included Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie, as well as climate activists and advocates for minority rights, according to local STV News. Protesters also raised concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Kirsty Haigh, a member of the "Scotland Against Trump" alliance, told local media that protesters from across Britain had united to oppose Trump and what she called his "politics of division".

EU tariff negotiations

High on Sunday's agenda, Trump is expected to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the afternoon to discuss tariffs that have been a concern for months.

The European Commission, negotiating on behalf of the EU's 27 countries, has been pushing hard for a deal to salvage a trading relationship worth an annual 1.6 trillion euros ($1.9 trillion) in goods and services.

Trump said on Friday, upon arrival, that he hoped to strike "the biggest deal of them all "with the EU.

"I think we have a good 50-50 chance" of a deal, Trump said, citing sticking points on "maybe 20 different things".

The European Commission said on Thursday it believed a deal was "in reach".

According to European diplomats, the agreement on the table involves a baseline 15-percent levy on EU exports to the United States, with carve-outs for critical sectors, including aircraft, lumber and spirits.

Xinhua - Agencies