According to a report by Reuters on September 3, U.S. President Donald Trump, in an interview with the British channel GB News, issued a severe warning about the state of Britain. He said that the country was 'on the brink of disaster' and expressed deep concern over its high energy costs, its net zero policy, and the impacts caused by large-scale immigration.
During the interview, although Trump expressed "admiration and affection" for King Charles, as well as a deep affection for the United Kingdom, he also pointed out that the government led by Prime Minister Andy Burnam faces many serious problems that need to be addressed immediately.
Trump has repeatedly labeled climate change a hoax, and has consistently criticized the UK for abandoning its efforts to transition away from fossil fuels. He has repeatedly called on successive British leaders to develop the oil and gas reserves off the North Sea. Currently, Bernam is considering whether to approve two large-scale development projects off the North Sea. He promised to take a pragmatic approach to energy transition, but also reiterated his government's belief in the necessity of shifting to clean sources of electricity.
On immigration issues, Trump further warned that if Britain did not stop the influx of people from all over the world, “there would be no country left.” He added: "What I mean is, if you go through London now, London has changed drastically.”
London Broadcasting Company (LBC) reported that Trump used this opportunity to criticize London Mayor Sadiq Khan. In the interview, Trump called him a "terrible mayor" and a "disgusting person," and said that under Sadiq's leadership, the crime rate in London remains high. He also said that the city looks nothing like it did fifteen or twenty years ago, and even claimed that in certain areas of Paris and London, police "don't even want to go there" because there is no law or order.
Regarding this, a source close to the London mayor told the UK's The Associated Press: “Sadiq still has a place in Trump’s mind. This guy is completely obsessed with Sadiq.” The source also mentioned that the crime rate across London is declining, with violent crime rates lower than those in all major cities in the United States. He emphasized that London is a diverse, multicultural, and prosperous global city, and that “Trump simply cannot understand our success.”
Meanwhile, the United States and Iran are in a military standoff over the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East. Defending this war, Trump told British media: “I’m also helping your country get rid of threats.”
He said that if Iran possessed nuclear weapons, they would likely use them in Europe, rather than in the United States, because Iran has the capability to launch missiles into Europe: “I’m helping your country deal with a major problem, because they will indeed use nuclear weapons.”
During the interview, Trump also mocked the attitude of former Prime Minister David Cameron’s UK, which was unwilling to get involved in Iran’s conflicts. He hinted that the United States might withdraw its support for Britain regarding the Falkland Islands issue due to this. He said, "Don’t forget, a large portion of your oil comes from the Strait of Hormuz, and you didn’t come to help me at that time."
