Trump praises UK North Sea drilling, demands removal of wind turbines

US president urges Britain to expand fossil fuel extraction following Jackdaw gas field re-approval

US President Donald Trump welcomed the UK's decision to resume offshore energy extraction Wednesday, calling on British authorities to expand fossil fuel production across the North Sea. "The UK has started drilling in the North Sea, one of the greatest and most prosperous areas of oil in the world," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. He urged London to proceed "full blast," which he asserted would "make the UK very wealthy again." Trump called the developments "great news for the wealth and prosperity of the United Kingdom, and the wonderful region of Aberdeen." "Take down the costly and ridiculous windmills," he added. The remarks follow an announcement by British Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh confirming government consent for gas production at the Jackdaw field. The offshore development, situated east of Scotland, is projected to begin supplying fuel by the end of October following years of legal challenges by environmental groups that overturned earlier regulatory consents. The Conservatives first approved Jackdaw in 2022, but a successful legal challenge by environmental campaigners put the project on hold. ​​​​​​​ Trump has long opposed offshore wind turbines, particularly installations visible from his golf resort in Aberdeenshire, while consistently arguing that London should exploit contested offshore reservoirs off the Scottish coast, including Jackdaw and Rosebank.