President Donald Trump has criticized the UK’s taxes on North Sea oil, describing the resource as a “treasure chest for the United Kingdom” and calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to “incentivize the drillers”. The comments came just hours after Trump praised Starmer during a meeting at his Scottish golf resort.
Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform, criticized the UK government’s high taxation on oil companies, arguing it discourages investment and undermines the country’s energy potential. “North Sea Oil is a TREASURE CHEST for the United Kingdom. The taxes are so high, however, that it makes no sense,” he posted.
“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!”
President Donald Trump
The current position follows what appeared to be a cordial exchange between the two leaders on Monday, where Trump described Starmer as “strong” and “respected”. He even said he wanted “to make the prime minister happy.”
Oil, Immigration, And Energy At Forefront
Trump’s remarks are likely to put pressure on Starmer’s energy and taxation policy, particularly amid an ongoing debate around oil production and renewable alternatives in the UK. Earlier in May, Trump had also criticized the UK’s wind energy expansion, calling wind turbines “ugly monsters” and asserting they were driving up costs and damaging property values.
Trump also mocked the reliability of wind energy, once saying, “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 couldn’t watch. There’s no electricity in the house, darling.’”
The president, who owns a golf course in Aberdeenshire, reiterated his opposition during the recent Scotland trip, describing Aberdeen as the oil capital of Europe and stating there was “a century of drilling left, with Aberdeen as the hub.”
“Our negotiated deal with the United Kingdom is working out well for all,” Trump previously posted.
“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.”
President Donald Trump
Despite the criticism, the meeting with Starmer marked a significant political moment. Trump appeared to lift a previous roadblock to the UK’s official recognition of a Palestinian state, a move the prime minister is set to discuss at a key cabinet meeting.
Trump also offered Starmer political advice ahead of the next UK election, focusing on domestic priorities.
“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.”
President Donald Trump
According to Trump, immigration was a central issue in his electoral success. He suggested the same could hold true for Starmer as he faces pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
Starmer agreed that efforts were underway to control illegal immigration, pointing to the return of 35,000 individuals in the past year.
“If you’re stopping immigration and stopping the wrong people, my hats are off to you. You’re doing, not a good thing, you’re doing a fantastic thing.”
President Donald Trump
As energy, immigration, and taxation dominate the political discourse, Trump’s direct commentary is expected to echo in UK political circles, particularly as Starmer prepares to defend key policies under the international spotlight.
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