US President Donald Trump has said “Aberdeen should be booming” as he branded the UK Government “absolutely crazy” for not increasing North Sea oil and gas extraction.
Posting on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump criticised the Labour Government’s energy policy. He said: “Europe is desperate for energy, and yet the United Kingdom refuses to open North Sea oil, one of the greatest fields in the world. tragic!!!”
His comments come as new polling for True North Advisors and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce revealed that nearly half of people in the North-east believe Aberdeen has already lost its status as one of Europe’s energy capitals.
Mr Trump added: “Aberdeen should be booming. Norway sells its North Sea oil to the UK at double the price. They are making a fortune. UK, which is better situated on the North Sea for purposes of energy than Norway, should, DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!!
“It is absolutely crazy that they don’t… AND, NO MORE WINDMILLS!”
The True North and AGCC poll - carried out by Diffley Partnership - found 47% think the Granite City has lost its standing, while a further 44% believe it is at risk.
Only 5% and 15% believe the UK and Scottish Governments (respectively) have the right policies in place when it comes to supporting the energy industry.
The findings were revealed at a special Business Breakfast for the Chamber’s Premier and Platinum partners at the Marcliffe Hotel in Aberdeen, where industry leaders and election candidates set out competing visions for the region’s energy future.
However, despite the concern, the poll of 1,300 people also shows strong backing for a balanced energy strategy, not strictly focussed on oil and gas, as Mr Trump suggests.
Some 77% said the region should aim to be a leader in both oil and gas and renewables, while 92% said the UK should meet as much demand as possible from North Sea resources.
More than four in ten (41%) said they or someone close to them had been affected by redundancies in the sector since 2022.
Responding to President Trump's comments, a spokesperson for the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “We are taking action to bear down on the cost of living, including taking £117 off average energy bills this month and supporting de-escalation in the Middle East.
“The lesson of yet another fossil fuel crisis is the UK needs to get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster and on to clean homegrown power we control.”