Scotland won’t vote in favor of independence from the U.K. because “it would be terrible” and “they just went through hell,” U.S. President Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal in an interview last week, according to a transcript obtained by POLITICO and published Tuesday.
Asked by the Journal’s Gerard Baker whether he thought Scotland would break free from the U.K., Trump said: “You don’t see it.”
“One little thing, what would they do with the British Open if they ever got out?” Trump continued, referring to the professional golf tournament. “Theyâd no longer have the British Open.”
Asked about a potential trade agreement with Britain, Trump mused, “You donât hear the word Britain anymore. Itâs very interesting. Itâs like, nope.”
Probed for more details on when a pact might be signed, Trump said: “As soon as itâs appropriate to have it kick in.”
Trump went on to criticize the U.S.-EU trade relationship, calling it “very unfair.”
“I have a very good relationship with the EU people and all, but they are very, very protectionist,” Trump said. “You know, our farmers and others canât even deal with â you know, you canât sell in … the EU was conceived to the point that they wanted to do something to compete with the United States. Well, you know, you could say thatâs a friendly act or an unfriendly act.”
The U.S. president said he would include services in a trade deal with the U.K.