Hope for tariff agreement between the US and the EU

According to a Commission spokeswoman, the meeting between EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump in Scotland this Sunday was preceded by intensive negotiations "at technical and political level".

"The leaders will now take stock and consider the extent to which a balanced outcome can be achieved that provides stability and predictability for businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic."

Trump: "The biggest deal of all"

Von der Leyen previously wrote on Platform X that the decision to hold the meeting was made after a "good phone call" with Trump. The discussion was intended to address "transatlantic trade relations" and how to maintain them strong.

Trump confirmed the meeting a few hours later upon his arrival in Scotland: "We'll see if we can make a deal," he said. If that happens, it would be "the biggest deal of all." Von der Leyen, he said, is a "highly respected woman," and they are looking forward to the meeting. "It's going to be good," the US president emphasized. He estimated the chances of an agreement at a "good 50-50 chance." He had already made similar comments before his departure. "I think the EU has a pretty good chance of reaching an agreement," he also said.

Agreement with Japan

On Wednesday, Trump promised to reduce threatened tariffs on imports of European products if the European Union opens its market more to the US . Before that, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had indicated that an agreement in the trade dispute could be imminent.

Trump had just agreed to tariffs of 15 percent with Japan – significantly less than originally planned. The US has also been negotiating a trade deal with the EU for weeks, which is intended to prevent the 30 percent tariffs already announced by Trump from coming into effect on August 1.

Trump warns Europe about migrants and wind turbines

Upon his arrival in Scotland, the US president issued a stark warning to Europe about two key threats. He believes the continent is threatened with destruction because of wind turbines and immigration. "You fly over and see these wind turbines everywhere, ruining your beautiful fields and valleys and killing your birds," he said at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. Wind turbines also harm the ocean, he further claimed.

Trump further insisted that Europe must stop the "horrible invasion" of immigrants. Immigration is destroying Europe, he continued, just as wind turbines destroy the beauty of European countries. Trump plans to visit two golf resorts in Scotland owned by his real estate company, among other things. According to British sources, he also plans to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday.

pg/pgr (dpa, afp)