Writing on Truth Social, Trump claimed British ministers had effectively told oil companies “we don’t want you,” and warned the nation was ignoring a “vast fortune” under the sea. He described North Sea oil as a critical economic resource and said energy costs could be lower if the government supported drilling more aggressively.

The U.K. currently imposes a 78% tax on oil and gas profits, one of the highest globally. Though this rate was raised under both Labour and previous Conservative governments, critics like Trump argue it has deterred investment and accelerated the industry’s decline. Wood Mackenzie analyst Gail Anderson confirmed that the tax environment is considered an “anomaly” internationally and adds uncertainty for energy companies.

Energy Policy Battle Amid Political And Environmental Pressures

Prime Minister Starmer’s clean energy agenda includes increasing investment in wind and nuclear power while targeting net-zero emissions by 2050. Under current plans, fossil fuels—now providing 38% of power—are expected to drop to 19% by 2030, while wind is set to supply over half.

Trump, a longtime critic of wind energy, repeated his opposition during the trip, calling turbines “ugly monsters” that ruin landscapes and drive up costs. His position echoes that of right-wing U.K. politician Nigel Farage, whose Reform U.K. party opposes net-zero goals and recently gained ground in public opinion.

Environmental groups have also challenged new oil projects. In January, Greenpeace and Uplift successfully sued to block drilling at two major sites in British waters. Tessa Khan of Uplift dismissed Trump’s remarks, saying the North Sea is a mature basin that has been in decline for decades and is not the economic windfall Trump portrays.