Eric Trump has held “warm and friendly” talks with John Swinney after complaining that the SNP government had made it “virtually impossible” to do business in Scotland.

The US president’s son, who oversees the operation of the family’s two Scottish golf resorts, met the First Minister at his official Bute House residence in Edinburgh. He had earlier flown into the city’s airport on a Trump-liveried jet.

Mr Trump said he was “delighted” with the talks and Mr Swinney had thanked him “for the Trump Organization’s ongoing colossal investment and commitment to Scotland”.

In a statement following the meeting, which the Scottish Government did not publicise, he said it was the “first time that I’ve heard those words from the First Minister”.

Both Mr Trump and the Scottish Government emphasised the 50-minute discussion over tea and biscuits had focused on business and not US or Scottish politics.

The Trump Organization owns two golf resorts in Scotland, at Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire.

Last November, Mr Trump said his family’s “love” for Scotland kept them investing in the country. His grandmother Mary MacLeod, the president’s mother, was born and raised on the Isle of Lewis.

But he complained that the Scottish Government had made it “virtually impossible” to do business, saying: “[It’s] very long to get permits, there are a lot of regulations, a lot of red tape, insane taxation, government leaders who just take potshots at you for no reason whatsoever.”

Mr Swinney infuriated the company by publicly endorsing Kamala Harris, the Democratic opponent, shortly before the US elections.

Trump International issued a furious attack on the First Minister, saying the endorsement was an insult to his financial investment in Scotland and the 600 people the company employed north of the Border.

Earlier this month, the First Minister said it would be “unthinkable” to allow Donald Trump to have a second state visit to the UK if US military aid to Ukraine did not resume.

But aid was restarted this week after Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said he would accept a ceasefire deal.

‘His words were hugely appreciated’

Eric Trump, who is executive vice-president of the Trump Organization, said: “I’m delighted to say that it was a very warm and friendly meeting and this is the first time that a First Minister has invited us to Bute House.

“The First Minister thanked me for the Trump Organization’s ongoing colossal investment and commitment to Scotland. 

“This is the first time that I’ve heard those words from the First Minister and they were hugely appreciated.

“Our discussions focused solely on the Trump Organization’s commitment to creating in Trump Turnberry and Trump International in Aberdeenshire, two of the most iconic golf destinations in the world. 

“We did not discuss Scottish or US politics but concentrated on golf. It was a very positive and constructive meeting about business and investment.”

It is understood the meeting was requested by the president’s office and organised “some time ago” to coincide with his visit to Scotland.

Eric recently said his father intended to visit Scotland this year for the opening of a new golf course at the Aberdeenshire resort.

His last visit as president in 2018 caused a security operation with thousands protesting in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.