ANAS Sarwar has said the Scottish Government should embrace business with Donald Trump “regardless of what people think of his politics”.
The Scottish Labour leader was in the United States last week participating in Tartan Week, a celebration of Scottish heritage held in the state of New York, which was led by actor Alan Cumming.
Writing for The Times, Sarwar argued that the Prime Minister Keir Starmer had navigated negotiations with the US President Donald Trump “with a steady hand” and ensured the UK got the “best possible” trade deal – despite the UK getting the same 10% tariffs as a raft of other countries, including the uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands near Antarctica.
Sarwar went on to accuse the Scottish Government of treating the US as an afterthought and claimed it made the country seem “closed for business” despite the country being Scotland’s largest international trading partner outside the European Union.
Scotland exported £3.9 billion worth of goods to the US in 2024, but Sarwar has argued that if the country wants stronger economic ties, it will need to do more business directly with the US President.
“A strong economic relationship with the US also means engaging with major investors who have already put their money into Scotland — including, yes, businesses linked to President Trump,” he wrote.
“President Trump’s affinity for Scotland is real, regardless of what people think of his politics.”
The Labour MSP went on to cite Trump International, the US President’s family’s organisation, golf courses in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire as the type of investment he would like to see more of in Scotland.
Trump’s Turnberry golf course was targeted by protesters in March over the US president’s position on Gaza.
Members of the group Palestine Action dug up the course's greens and spray painted the words “Gaza is not for sale” across the lawn of the South Ayrshire course.
Sarwar went on to say the Trump family would have been “frustrated” doing business in Scotland and suggested winning the US President’s favour “should be obvious”.
Trump’s plans to implement sweeping tariffs on imports, which have sent financial markets reeling, raised fears of a recession and upended the global trading system.
“I am sure at times they have felt frustrated at doing business in Scotland, but the potential benefits of having the president of the United States as an advocate for others to invest in Scotland should be obvious,” Sarwar said.
He added: “The lesson here is clear: if we want Scotland to prosper, we must make it a place where businesses feel wanted and welcomed. We cannot afford to let political point-scoring get in the way of economic growth.”
Sarwar went on to take aim at the SNP, claiming the Scottish Government is “seen as hostile to business,” adding they are “reluctant to engage” with US-based businesses and investors.
Replying to Sarwar's comment on Twitter/X, SNP MP Stephen Flynn, said: "Just know he has red baseball caps on order."
