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Swinney congratulates Trump after backing Harris Swinney congratulates Trump after backing Harris
(about 2 hours later)
John Swinney backed Kamala Harris for the US presidencyJohn Swinney backed Kamala Harris for the US presidency
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election.Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election.
The SNP leader had backed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris - a move branded an "insult" by Trump's Scottish business.The SNP leader had backed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris - a move branded an "insult" by Trump's Scottish business.
But with the former president poised to re-enter the White House, Swinney said Scotland shared many "many social, cultural and economic links" with the US. But with the former president poised to re-enter the White House, Swinney said Scotland shared "economic, social and cultural" links with the US.
He posted on X, external: "In that relationship, we will stand fast in support of our values of fairness, democracy and equality – ideals that America was built upon." He added that he would be “happy” to meet with Trump if he visited Scotland.
Trump, whose company owns two golf courses in Scotland, is half Scottish, with his mother Mary Anne MacLeod born and raised on the Isle of Lewis. The president elect, whose company owns two golf courses in Scotland, is half Scottish, with his mother Mary Anne MacLeod born and raised on the Isle of Lewis.
Speaking to reporters in the Scottish Parliament last week, Swinney said US voters should back Harris. Swinney said he would also write to Trump to congratulate him.
He added: "And I’ve not come to that conclusion only because Donald Trump is opposed to Scottish independence.” He told BBC Scotland News: “It’s important that we take forward the economic, social and cultural ties that exist between Scotland and the United States.
"And in so doing Scotland will assert the importance that we attach to the values of freedom and democracy, which are underpinning values to the United States and underpinning values to Scotland.”
The first minister said that if Trump visited Scotland, it would be his duty as first minister to meet him "on behalf" of Scots.
Trump International owns two golf courses in ScotlandTrump International owns two golf courses in Scotland
Swinney's endorsement came after Trump told a podcast that he hoped the UK "always stays together". The president elect has proposed import taxes, known as tariffs, of at least 10% on goods coming into the US.
Swinney raised concerns about the potential impact on the Scotch whisky industry - which was estimated to have lost more than £600m in exports when Trump imposed tariffs during his previous presidency.
“It’s important because this industry is so significant to the economic health of Scotland that we do all we can to support the industry in what are potentially challenging times," the first minister said.
Last week, Swinney said US voters should back Harris.
He told reporters in the Scottish Parliament: "And I’ve not come to that conclusion only because Donald Trump is opposed to Scottish independence.”
The SNP leader's endorsement came after Trump told a podcast that he hoped the UK "always stays together".
Trump International, which runs the golf resorts at Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire, called the comments "appalling".Trump International, which runs the golf resorts at Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire, called the comments "appalling".
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also sided with Harris ahead of the election.Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also sided with Harris ahead of the election.
He told BBC Scotland’s The Sunday Show the "world wins" if the US does not elect a "divisive figure".He told BBC Scotland’s The Sunday Show the "world wins" if the US does not elect a "divisive figure".
"I think there's a reason why so many people in America, right across the globe, want to see the Democrats win or want to see Kamala Harris as president," he said."I think there's a reason why so many people in America, right across the globe, want to see the Democrats win or want to see Kamala Harris as president," he said.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton travelled to the US, external to campaign for Kamala Harris, having campaigned for Barak Obama in 2008.Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton travelled to the US, external to campaign for Kamala Harris, having campaigned for Barak Obama in 2008.
He called Trump’s victory “devastating” for the US, women, people seeking asylum, the LGBTQ+ community and Ukraine.He called Trump’s victory “devastating” for the US, women, people seeking asylum, the LGBTQ+ community and Ukraine.
“I’ll never forget or regret my time helping out or the people I met,” he posted on X, external. “Just I wish I’d done more.”“I’ll never forget or regret my time helping out or the people I met,” he posted on X, external. “Just I wish I’d done more.”
'Dark day''Dark day'
Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater also endorsed Harris.Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater also endorsed Harris.
Slater called Trump’s victory, external a “dark day” for women, Ukraine, Gaza and the planet.Slater called Trump’s victory, external a “dark day” for women, Ukraine, Gaza and the planet.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay, during his party's leadership contest, was asked who he would vote for in the US election if he could.Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay, during his party's leadership contest, was asked who he would vote for in the US election if he could.
He told the Daily Record, external: “I don't have a vote. I'm a lot more interested in what happens in Scotland than in other countries. Many in the Scottish Parliament would do well to adopt the same approach, instead of parading as pound-shop diplomats.”He told the Daily Record, external: “I don't have a vote. I'm a lot more interested in what happens in Scotland than in other countries. Many in the Scottish Parliament would do well to adopt the same approach, instead of parading as pound-shop diplomats.”
Ahead of his presidential victory in 2016, Trump was criticised by every party leader in Scotland.Ahead of his presidential victory in 2016, Trump was criticised by every party leader in Scotland.
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon initially said she would not take a call from Donald Trump if he won the presidencyFormer first minister Nicola Sturgeon initially said she would not take a call from Donald Trump if he won the presidency
Asked what she would do if asked to take a call from him, then first minister Nicola Sturgeon told a televised leaders’ debate she would say: “I’m on the other line, sorry.”Asked what she would do if asked to take a call from him, then first minister Nicola Sturgeon told a televised leaders’ debate she would say: “I’m on the other line, sorry.”
The former SNP leader also stripped the Republican candidate of his role as business ambassador for Scotland after he suggested Muslims should be banned from entering the US.The former SNP leader also stripped the Republican candidate of his role as business ambassador for Scotland after he suggested Muslims should be banned from entering the US.
Following his victory in 2016, Sturgeon wrote a congratulatory letter to Trump, and spoke to him on the phone.Following his victory in 2016, Sturgeon wrote a congratulatory letter to Trump, and spoke to him on the phone.
Responding to this year's election results, Sturgeon posted a picture, external of the Statue of Liberty in tears on Instagram.Responding to this year's election results, Sturgeon posted a picture, external of the Statue of Liberty in tears on Instagram.