Trump tells Europe to ‘get your act together’ on immigration before US-EU trade talks

Intensive negotiations between the EU and the US continued on Saturday ahead of a crucial Sunday meeting in Scotland between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump, aimed at averting a costly trade war.

While on a private visit staying at his Turnberry golf resort, President Trump criticized European leaders. He urged them to "stop the windmills," claiming they ruin landscapes and kill birds, and warned "you better get your act together" on immigration, stating "you’re not going to have Europe any more." Trump also skipped a scheduled press meeting on Saturday morning to play golf at his seaside course, with music like Billy Joel and Simon & Garfunkel reportedly playing from his buggy.

Though billed as a family visit, Trump's trip includes meetings with European leaders and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, raising hopes for new trade deals. Regarding the EU talks, Trump mentioned there were "20 sticking points" but declined to specify them. He described von der Leyen as "highly respected" and rated the chances of a deal from their Sunday meeting as "a good 50-50." Von der Leyen and her team are flying in Saturday, with Trade Commissioner Šefčovič arriving Sunday.

The potential deal is expected to center on a principle agreement for 15% tariffs on exports like cars, while maintaining 50% tariffs on steel. A significant breakthrough is also anticipated on pharmaceuticals, setting a proposed export tariff rate of 15%. While this breaches the WTO's zero-tariff rule for medicines, it is substantially lower than the 200% tariff Trump threatened earlier in the month, which risked triggering a damaging trade war with several EU countries hosting US multinationals.

Von der Leyen's spokesperson confirmed intensive negotiations were ongoing at technical and political levels, stating leaders would now "take stock and consider the scope for a balanced outcome." The meeting with Trump is scheduled for late afternoon at Turnberry, followed by meetings with Starmer on Monday to potentially expand the basic trade deal struck in May.

Trump's visit to Scotland has prompted the largest security operation since Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022, involving over 5,000 police and security personnel due to heightened risks following an assassination attempt on Trump a year ago.