President Donald Trump arrived in Scotland on Friday and immediately criticized European leaders for their handling of the mass immigration crisis, calling it a ‘horrible invasion’ that is ‘killing’ the continent. During a press briefing following his arrival at Prestwick airport, Trump accused President Joe Biden of allowing an uncontrolled influx of migrants, citing Biden’s record of apprehending between 8,000 and 10,000 migrants per day, with a single month in December 2023 seeing 249,785 Border Patrol apprehensions. Trump warned that European nations must take stronger measures to curb the crisis, stating, “You got to get your act together… or you’re not going to have Europe anymore.”
The U.S. president also highlighted the UK’s recent surge in migrant arrivals, with nearly 22,500 people arriving this year alone, a 57% increase compared to last year. He commended Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a key Trump ally, for his hardline stance on immigration. During his five-day trip to the UK, Trump will also meet with British Prime Minister Kier Starmer and the Scottish government’s First Minister John Swinney. The trip includes discussions on the latest U.S.-U.K. trade agreement, dubbed the ‘Economic Prosperity Deal,’ which aims to slash tariffs. Trump praised the UK’s progress, saying, “He got it done. It’s a good deal for the UK.”
Trump expressed his intention to meet with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, to work on securing a trade deal with Europe. While the U.S. and Europe have been negotiating, Trump noted the complexity of such a deal, calling it “the biggest of them all if we make it.” The UK has been a key trading partner for the U.S., with the two nations having reached relatively amicable trade agreements under Trump’s administration. However, the migration crisis continues to be a central element in Trump’s criticism of European leaders, with the U.S. president emphasizing the urgency for the continent to take firmer action.
Hungary and Poland have been among the most vocal European nations resisting the influx of migrants, particularly irregular migrants and asylum seekers. Orbán, a Trump ally, has been a prominent figure in advocating for stricter immigration controls. However, as Trump’s rhetoric continues to intensify, the impact of his criticism on both European policy and international trade relations remains an ongoing concern.
While Trump’s focus has been on immigration, his visit also includes a five-day trip with planned visits to his golf resorts in Turnberry and Aberdeen. The trip underscores the blend of political and personal activities, as Trump continues to navigate both domestic and international challenges. The U.S. president’s critique of Europe’s immigration handling, however, remains a central theme of his recent public statements, highlighting the political and strategic importance of the issue in the broader context of U.S.-European relations.