US (Parliament Politics Magazine) – US President Donald Trump urged UK PM Keir Starmer to cut taxes and boost North Sea oil drilling, calling it vital to lowering costs and beating Reform UK.
As reported by The Independent, former US president Donald Trump criticised Keir Starmer’s tax policy on North Sea oil, shortly after warmly welcoming him at a Scottish golf estate.
He described the North Sea as a vital energy resource for the UK and called on Keir Starmer’s government to “incentivise the drillers” instead of imposing heavy taxes.
The comments came less than 24 hours after Trump praised Labour leader as “strong” and “respected,” adding that he wanted “to make the prime minister happy.”
What did Trump say about North Sea Oil?
President Trump used his Truth Social platform to criticise North Sea oil taxes, saying they “make no sense.”
He posted,
“North Sea Oil is a TREASURE CHEST for the United Kingdom. The taxes are so high, however, that it makes no sense.”
Mr Trump added,
“They have essentially told drillers and oil companies that, “we don’t want you.” Incentivize the drillers, FAST. A VAST FORTUNE TO BE MADE for the UK, and far lower energy costs for the people!”
During his tour of Scotland, Mr Trump stopped in Aberdeen, known as the oil capital of Europe and renewed his long-standing attack on wind turbines, describing them as “ugly monsters.”
He has long voiced opposition to wind energy and said in a May Truth Social post,
“Our negotiated deal with the United Kingdom is working out well for all. I strongly recommend to them, however, that in order to get their Energy Costs down, they stop with the costly and unsightly windmills, and incentivize modernized drilling in the North Sea, where large amounts of oil lay waiting to be taken.”
Mr Trump, who owns a golf course in Scotland, said there’s still “a century of drilling left,” with Aberdeen positioned as the central hub.
He is known for his opposition to wind energy and has criticised large turbines for “destroying property values” and “killing all the birds.”
Mr Trump has mocked wind energy as unreliable, saying,
“And then, all of a sudden, it stops; the wind and the televisions go off. And your wives and husbands say, ‘Darling, I want to watch Donald Trump on television tonight. But the wind stopped blowing and I can’t watch. There’s no electricity in the house, darling.'”
What did Trump say about Starmer and Reform UK?
The Republican leader called on Keir Starmer to cut taxes and address immigration if he hopes to outpace Reform UK in the next election.
Referring to Labour and Reform leaders he added,
“The one who cuts taxes the most, the one who gives you the lowest energy prices, the one who keeps you out of wars, tend to win. Low taxes, keep us safe, keep us out of wars….And in your case a big immigration component.”
Mr Trump claimed that his stance on immigration helped secure his most recent White House victory.
North Sea Oil firms hit by tax hike
The British government moved to raise the windfall tax on oil and gas last year, hitting new drilling efforts in the North Sea. The levy was also extended by an additional year and will now remain in place until 2030.
Ed Miliband has added to industry uncertainty by halting new North Sea drilling, aiming to accelerate the UK’s shift to renewable energy and meet its net zero targets.
What did David Whitehouse say about the future of North Sea energy?
David Whitehouse, chief of Offshore Energies UK, urged the Prime Minister last week to hold a
“a pragmatic conversation about the future of the North Sea which recognises and prioritises home-grown energy.”
He added,
“The outcomes of consultations on licensing, future taxes and the wider North Sea are of national importance.”