Donald Trump fires warning shot to Keir Starmer weeks after UK-US trade deal

has warned the UK to ditch "unsightly windmills" and ramp up North Sea oil drilling - in a blunt intervention squarely aimed at 's energy plans. The US President fired off the comments in a post on his Truth Social platform, insisting Britain's reliance on renewables was pushing up prices.

He said: "Our negotiated deal with the United Kingdom is working out well for all. I strongly recommend to them, however, that in order to get their Energy Costs down, they stop with the costly and unsightly , and incentivise modernised drilling in the North Sea, where large amounts of oil lay waiting to be taken. A century of drilling left, with Aberdeen as the hub. The old fashioned tax system disincentivises drilling, rather than the opposite. UK's Energy Costs would go WAY DOWN, and fast!

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed Labour would keep the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers, hiking the effective rate to 78%.

The move, intended to fund the UK's transition to net zero, has already prompted US oil giant Apache to announce its departure from the North Sea by 2029.

Mr Trump has long opposed wind farms - and famously launched legal action over turbines near his golf resort in Scotland.

However, his latest intervention signals growing tensions between the two allies over energy security, with the White House pressing for a pro-drilling policy shift from Westminster.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has unveiled a major push to revitalise Britain's offshore wind sector, including increased subsidies aimed at unlocking investment and rescuing key net zero targets.

The move comes amid mounting concerns that developers are pulling back from the UK market due to rising costs, inflation, and global competition for capital.

Mr Miliband has made clear that offshore wind remains central to the Government's long-term energy strategy, with a particular focus on ensuring new projects are financially viable under current economic conditions.

The Labour Government also formally launched Great British Energy (GBE) earlier this month, establishing the publicly owned investment body to drive the expansion of clean energy production.

Headquartered in Aberdeen, the new agency is tasked with boosting domestic renewable generation, with a particular emphasis on wind, solar and tidal power.

Mr Miliband has said GBE will play a "transformational" role in reducing energy bills and enhancing the UK's energy independence, positioning Britain as a global leader in the transition to net zero.

Internationally, Mr Miliband has moved to strengthen ties with Norway to accelerate joint offshore wind and green hydrogen development in the North Sea.

A new agreement signed in early May will see deeper collaboration on infrastructure, technology and cross-border energy sharing. The Energy Secretary described the partnership as a "cornerstone" of the UK's green industrial future, stressing that global cooperation is essential to secure supply chains and meet ambitious climate commitments.