<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/gold-coast" rel="" target="_blank" title="Gold Coast"><span>Gold Coast</span></a><span> mayor Tom Tate met with </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/usa" rel="" target="_blank" title="US"><span>US</span></a><span> President </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/donald-trump" rel="" target="_blank" title="Donald Trump "><span>Donald Trump</span></a><span>just before the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/trump-tower-hotel-planned-for-gold-coast-queensland/9676905f-9767-4f8d-994c-8bb5e072a24c" rel="" target="_blank" title="announcement"><span>announcement</span></a><span> of a $1.5 billion proposal for a Trump Tower to be built at Surfers Paradise.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Independent Liberal politician has confirmed he travelled to Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida and also met with First Lady Melania Trump and Trump's son Eric.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tate said the meeting happened just before the official announcement of the tower project, which has been greenlit by developers, and will be a Trump Hotel.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-state-of-the-union-address-live-updates-latest-politics-news-headlines/3521c95d-716b-49a9-9e8c-f89b6c89cef4"><strong><span>Trump's 'graphic' message in front of murder victims' families</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Eric Trump claims it will be the largest skyscraper in Australia if built. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It would also be the first Trump Hotel in the country.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The tower will reportedly be 340 metres and 91 storeys tall, according to Altus Property Group.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/trump-tower-gold-coast-us-president-donald-trump-meets-mayor-tom-tate/b9afc0c4-9789-416c-ba78-edab125d3cce" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/terrorism-nsw-police-announces-new-armed-response-command-in-the-wake-of-bondi-terror-attack/4eae612f-f475-4a91-9283-678944803aa1" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>NSW Police announce new armed response command in the wake of Bondi terror attack</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/trump-tower-on-gold-coast-australia-petitions-launched-in-response/83f92312-b767-4d78-8530-7c6e87046dc0" rel="" target="_blank" title="locals"><span>locals</span></a><span> have had a divided reaction to the announcement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A petition urging the Gold Coast City Council and State Government to halt the development has gained over 50,000 signatures on change.org.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Beyond issues of over-development, environmental impact, and pressure on local infrastructure, many residents are deeply uncomfortable with the Trump brand and what it represents," the petition said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A counter petition on the same website arguing in favour of the proposal has garnered about 3300 signatures.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><p><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></p></li><li><p><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google 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