President Donald Trump will visit Scotland on Friday as his family business readies the Aug. 13 launch of a new golf course in Aberdeenshire promoted as “the greatest 36 holes in golf.”
Trump to Meet UK PM Starmer, Likely at His Property
While there, Trump will talk trade with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a meeting he’s said will take place at “probably one of my properties.”
Employing this week’s presidential foreign visit with its extensive retinue of advisers, White House and support staff, Secret Service agents and journalists to assist in flaunting Trump-brand golf resorts illustrates how comfortable the president has become with blurring his pursuit of governing interests with the promotion of his family’s business ventures.
Weekend Stay Near Turnberry, Talks and Travel Ahead
Trump will touch down near Glasgow on Friday night. He’s staying the weekend at one of his family golf courses near Turnberry, then will sit down with British Prime Minister Kier Starmer before traveling to one of his other courses near Aberdeen.
The Trump Organization is opening a second golf course near Aberdeen in September. Trump will return to Washington on Tuesday.
Trump Avoids Comment on Possible Ghislaine Maxwell Pardon
Trump indicated he can do it but has not given thought to pardoning the jailed ex-girlfriend of financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump added that he “certainly can’t talk about pardons now.”
The No. 2 official at the Justice Department visited Maxwell on Thursday as the agency vows to be more transparent after criticism over a previous refusal to unseal additional documents in the Epstein probe.
Trump Expects Fed to Lower Interest Rates After Powell Meeting
Trump described good meetings with Powell and foresees him cutting interest rates.
The president said his meeting with the Fed chair Jerome Powell on Thursday was “good,” despite their bickering in front of cameras over the cost of the of renovations to the Fed’s headquarters.
“He said ‘Congratulations. The country is doing really well,’” Trump said. “And I got that to mean that I think he’s going to start recommending lower rates.”
Trade Deal With EU Unlikely Before Tariffs Hit
The president did not place comfortable odds on the U.S. concluding a trade agreement with the European Union prior to new tariff rates taking effect Aug. 1.
“I would say that we have a 50/50 chance, maybe less than that,” Trump said before departing for a trip to Scotland.
The president indicated that the agreement would need to “buy down” the tariff rate of 30% as it is currently scheduled against the bloc of 27-member states.
Trump indicated he had believed the chances of coming to a framework with Japan were 25%, but the U.S. and Japan released an agreement this week.
Trump Says Hamas Ceasefire Deal Unlikely
Trump told reporters Friday that a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is unlikely as Hamas loses leverage in talks. With relatively few hostages left, Trump, said, Hamas doesn’t “have any bargaining chips” left to negotiate.
“Hamas didn’t want to make a deal,” Trump said. Asked about next steps, he said: “I think what’s going to happen is they’re going to be hunted down.”
Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff reported Thursday the U.S. was shortening Gaza ceasefire talks following Hamas’ reply that evidenced a “lack of desire” to complete a truce.
