Something went wrong - please try again later.

Thank you for signing up to our Politics newsletter.

Sign up for our daily Politics briefing for political exclusives, analysis and debate.

Nicola Sturgeon risked riling Donald Trump by telling American students that immigration fuelled by climate change will “dwarf” levels seen in the Syrian crisis.

On a visit to the US – in which the First Minister is not due to meet the President or any of his officials – Ms Sturgeon said the environmental phenomenon is a stark reminder that countries must not forget their responsibilities to the rest of the world.

The SNP leader also predicted victory for the Yes campaign as she took her independence campaign stateside.

Mr Trump, who is pursuing isolationist and anti-immigration policies, once called climate change a “hoax”.

In a speech to students and staff at Stanford University in California, Ms Sturgeon said: “Immigration is a major topic of debate in the USA as well as Europe, of course.

“And looking into the future, we know that the displacement of populations which will be caused by climate change – especially if global warming exceeds 1.5C – is likely to dwarf the scale of migration that Europe has seen as a result of the Syria crisis.

“It’s a good demonstration of the fact that no nation is insulated from our reliance on, and our obligations to, the wider world.”

An estimated 11 million Syrians have fled their homes since the outbreak of civil war in 2011.

Last month, Mr Trump issued a 120-day ban on all refugees entering the US. A bid to indefinitely ban all Syrian refugees was over-turned by the courts.

The SNP leader, who is in the US to drum up investment for Scotland, went on to say that Brexit “poses a fundamental question for Scotland”.

“Do we remain as we are, facing exit against our will from largest trading bloc in the world, at the hand of a UK government prioritising curbs on immigration above all else?” she said.

“Or do we become an independent country – with the opportunities and challenges that entails – and with the freedom to be an equal partner with the other nations of the UK and Europe and with countries across the world?

“My own view, as a supporter of independence, is that we will choose the second course.”

John Lamont, for the Scottish Conservatives, said: “It is a great shame that she has chosen to use her taxpayer-funded trip to America to promote independence, and an unwanted referendum.”