Trump Visits Scotland for EU Trade Talks
Fumes Over Wind Turbines Near His Golf Course
"Wind Power Kills Whales and Birds," He Strongly Criticizes
During his visit to the United Kingdom for trade negotiations with the European Union (EU), U.S. President Donald Trump has continued to criticize wind power generation. Yonhap News reported on the 27th (local time), citing the British daily The Telegraph, that "President Trump unleashed strong criticism of wind turbines during a meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and reporters in Turnberry, Scotland."
US President Donald Trump is shouting while playing golf at Turnberry Golf Course in Scotland on the 27th (local time). Photo by AP
Before the meeting, President Trump played golf at his Turnberry golf course and remarked, "If you look at the horizon from there, you can see nine wind turbines at the end of the 18th hole. Isn’t this truly an embarrassment?" he said sharply.
He continued, "In some areas of Massachusetts (in the United States), one or two whales have washed ashore over the past 20 years, but recently, 18 whales have washed ashore in a short period of time," adding, "Wind turbines are driving whales crazy. Wind turbines will never be built in the United States." The claim that wind turbines kill whales is unverified. This has led some to compare Trump to Don Quixote, who charged at windmills.
He also said, "Wind turbines kill birds and make noise," adding, "All of it (wind power) is a scam, and it is too expensive," and emphasized, "This is what I am telling Europe. We will not allow wind turbines to be built in the United States."
The U.S. political media outlet Politico Europe pointed out, "Commission President von der Leyen, who rushed to the Turnberry golf resort for trade negotiations, had to wait until President Trump finished his fierce criticism of the harms of wind turbines in front of reporters."
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
President Trump also expressed dissatisfaction about the Israel-Gaza issue while seated next to President von der Leyen, saying, "America's contributions are not being recognized." In response to the question of whether Israel should allow more food into Gaza, he said, "Two weeks ago, we gave $60 million (about 82.8 billion won) for food in Gaza," and added, "At the very least, I really want to hear someone say 'thank you'." He further stated, "People are stealing the food. It seems Iran is causing trouble."
Upon his arrival in Scotland on the 25th, President Trump also raised his voice at the airport, saying, "(Europe) must stop wind power generation." He said, "From the sky, you can see wind turbines everywhere. They are ruining beautiful plains and valleys and killing birds. At sea, they are also destroying the ocean."
President Trump's statements regarding wind power are expected to complicate his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Labour Party, to which Starmer belongs, has pledged to work with the private sector to double the UK's onshore wind power capacity by 2030.
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