Donald Trump has called the North Sea a “treasure chest” as he attacked the UK’s tax regime for oil and gas companies. The US President said “a vast fortune” could be made for the UK, alongside lower energy costs, adding: “Incentivise the drillers, fast.” He made the comment on his Truth Social website shortly before opening his new golf course at Trump International in Aberdeenshire. It comes after he held talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Turnberry in Ayrshire on Monday, before the pair travelled north together for a private dinner, which was also attended by First Minister John Swinney. Get daily political analysis - subscribe for free to The Steamie The oil and gas industry has been sharply critical of the energy profits levy - also known as the windfall tax - which was introduced in May 2022 and then extended and increased. Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), the North Sea trade body, has called on Sir Keir to remove the tax by 2026. “North Sea Oil is a TREASURE CHEST for the United Kingdom,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The taxes are so high, however, that it makes no sense. “They have essentially told drillers and oil companies that, ‘we don’t want you.’ Incentivize the drillers, FAST. A VAST FORTUNE TO BE MADE for the UK, and far lower energy costs for the people!”