DONALD Trump has called for a “drill, baby drill” approach to North Sea oil saying it’s a “treasure chest” for the UK.
The US President called on Sir Keir Starmer to “incentivise” the drillers which could drive up UK growth and bring about lower energy bills.
Trump adamant that UK sitting on a “treasure chest” with its North Sea oil and gas reserves[/caption]
The US leader also hit out at the “high taxes” imposed on oil and gas which were first brought in following a rise in prices at the start of the Ukraine war.
His intervention came as he enters his final few hours of a five-day private visit to Scotland with the final leg visiting his Aberdeenshire golf course.
Trump is in the north east of Scotland as he opens a new golf course at his resort in Menie.
During his inauguration speech, Trump said that the US will “drill, baby, drill” and also export US energy around the world.
Trump had already backed Aberdeen, which is the oil capital of Europe, and hit out at wind turbines describing them as “ugly monsters”.
Mr Trump, writing on his Truth Social network, said: “North Sea Oil is a treasure chest for the United Kingdom. The taxes are so high, however, that it makes no sense.
“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!”
Trump’s comments come after the Labour government hiked the surcharge on oil and gas firms to 38 per cent last October, which was up from 35 per cent.
