Trump, Starmer talk trade deals, war in Gaza in Scotland meeting

(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed trade deals and the war in Gaza as the president wrapped up a trip to Scotland.

The two leaders met Monday at a golf property owned by Trump’s family near Turnberry in southwest Scotland.

During the bilateral meeting, Trump congratulated Starmer for the U.S. and the United Kingdom reaching a trade deal earlier this month: “It’s a great deal for both. It brings unity — we didn’t need unity — but it brings us even closer together, I think.”

Starmer called it a “really good deal for both our countries” and said the agreement has been “very well received” in the U.K.

Their meeting follows another deal, announced Sunday, in which the EU agreed to purchase $750 billion in energy and invest an additional $600 billion into the U.S., along with purchasing an undetermined amount of military equipment. It will also open its countries to some “zero for zero tariffs.”

Trump: US will build food centers in Gaza

Trump on Monday said Starmer, along with other allies in the E.U., are working together to address the starvation crisis in Gaza.

“We have a good group of countries who are going to help with the humanitarian needs, which is food, sanitation and some other things,” Trump said.

The goal is to “set up food shelters where people can walk in. No boundaries, no fences,” Trump added.

President Donald Trump greets British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria Starmer, at Trump Turnberry golf club on July 28, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Trump Turnberry golf club on July 28, 2025, in Turnberry, Scotland. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

“I think that, certainly, speaking for the British public and myself, seeing those images of starving children in particular, are revolting … humanitarian aid needs to get in at speed, at volume,” Starmer said.

Israel announced Sunday that the military would pause operations in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi for 10 hours a day until further notice to allow for the improved flow of aid to Palestinians in Gaza, where concern over hunger has grown, and designate secure routes for aid delivery.

Aid agencies have welcomed the new aid measures, which also included allowing airdrops into Gaza, but said they were not enough to counter the rising hunger in the Palestinian territory.

Starmer said it’s necessary to not only drop aid into the region, but to get trucks on the ground: “Yes, that does involve putting pressure on Israel because it’s absolutely a humanitarian catastrophe.”

‘Not interested in talking’ to Putin: Trump

Sitting next to Starmer, Trump confirmed he would be enacting a deadline of “10 or 12 days,” rather than the 50 previously allotted to Russia and its president.

“There’s no reason to wait. I want to be generous, but we don’t see any progress being made,” Trump said.

He also floated “secondary sanctions” on Russia, pending a ceasefire with Ukraine.

EU-US tariff trade deal reached

Originally, Trump had threatened 30% tariffs against the EU in April. But the new agreement — which Trump has called the “biggest deal ever made” — narrowly avoids his administration’s Aug. 1 tariff deadline.

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“It’s a huge deal, with tough negotiations. I knew it at the beginning, and it was indeed very tough. But we came to good conclusions on both sides,” head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said.

Trump has secured deals with Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the United Kingdom, among other countries, during the 90-day window between the announcement of his “reciprocal tariffs” and their threatened enforcement date.

More than 20 countries have not yet made a deal with the U.S.

A look at the rates they will face Friday: