You're listening to a podcast from the BBC World Service. This is Hard Talk with me, Stephen Sacker.

Thanks for downloading this edition of the program. I do hope you enjoy it. Welcome to Hard Talk on the BBC World

Service with me, Stephen Sacker. My guest today is a key player in America's Republican Party, not least because his power base is the

vital electoral swing state of Florida. Rick Scott was Florida's governor. Now he's one of the state's

two U.S. senators, thanks to the narrowest of victories in last November's midterm elections.

Back in 2016, Rick Scott was a key

backer of Donald Trump's presidential campaign, but in recent times he's put some noticeable

distance between himself and the White House, notably on the hugely controversial issue of

immigration. The president's zero-tolerance stance on illegal immigration

has led to family separations at the Mexican border

and the detention of young children in shocking conditions.

Democrats call it an affront to American values.

Senator Scott, doubtless mindful of Florida's millions of Latino voters, has voiced

his own concerns. The senator is currently in Europe, discussing America's place in the world

with European allies at a time when President Trump's approach to international diplomacy,

from China trade to Iran to North Korea, has again raised questions

from Washington's traditional partners. So just how effective and sustainable is the Trump presidency?

Well, Senator Rick Scott joins me now. Welcome to Hard Talk.

It's nice to be here.

You've been in Europe for a few days. You've

been meeting politicians, you've been meeting diplomats. How hard is it being a senior U.S.

politician defending the Trump administration overseas right now? You know, I don't look at it

...