BORIS Johnson’s plan to make a trade deal with Donald Trump a top priority could “spell disaster for Scotland”, according to the SNP.
The party said that the pledge to prioritise a US trade deal, made shortly after the US president made a series of racist tweets directed at Democratic congresswomen, “speaks volumes” about how Boris Johnson would behave as prime minister.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon hits out at Donald Trump over congresswomen remark
Johnson was widely criticised for his role in the resignation of ambassador Sir Kim Darroch, after the front-runner in the Conservative Party Leadership race refused to guarantee his future, after a series of leaked memos led to being bullied out of office by Trump.
READ MORE: Kim Darroch: Police threaten to persecute journalists for leaks
SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth said: “Donald Trump has already made clear that the NHS – and everything else – would be on the table in any trade discussions.
“Yet Boris Johnson wants to make a quick deal with Trump a top priority as Prime Minister.
“That’s the inevitable consequence of Boris Johnson’s desire to push through a No-Deal Brexit – that would leave the UK government in a weak and desperate position, ready to sign up to whatever bargain basement conditions Trump demanded.
“We’ve already seen Donald Trump bully the UK Ambassador out of his job – and Boris Johnson refusing to stand up for our diplomats.
“Just hours after Donald Trump’s staggering racist remarks about opposition politicians, and while the world is shocked at the US government keeping migrant children in cages, Boris Johnson wants to write him a blank cheque.
“A Trump-Johnson race-to-the-bottom partnership would be an utter catastrophe for Scotland – and it would put Scottish jobs and our NHS at risk.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel