Overview

• President Trump formally opened the second 18-hole layout at his Balmedie resort, marking it as the third Trump-owned course in Scotland, and joined family members and former athletes for the inaugural round
• He unveiled a preliminary agreement setting 15 percent tariffs on EU goods entering the US following talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at Turnberry
• At the Balmedie event he hosted Prime Minister Keir Starmer for bilateral discussions covering trade, North Sea energy incentives, and humanitarian aid for Gaza
• Local planners and environmental groups continue to challenge the coastal development as wind turbines loom offshore and ethics watchdogs question the use of presidential resources to promote private assets
• A long-circulated anecdote that Sean Connery intervened to secure planning approval was publicly refuted by Aberdeenshire officials, spotlighting conflict-of-interest concerns