Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has successfully pressed President Donald Trump to reconsider the controversial 10% tariff on Scottish whisky exports, with Trump showing “willingness” to move on the issue during their meeting at his Aberdeenshire golf club.
US President Donald Trump has shown a “willingness” to move on tariffs for Scotch whisky, John Swinney said following his meeting with the president ahead of the opening of a second course at his Aberdeenshire golf club, where he pressed him on the 10% levy on Scotland’s national drink.
Economic impact and industry concerns
John Swinney said the “uniqueness” of whisky made in Scotland justified the exemption from the 10% tariff applied on UK exports into the US. The First Minister revealed that the tariffs are currently costing the whisky industry £4 million a week, highlighting the significant economic impact on one of Scotland’s most important export sectors.
The meeting came during Trump’s five-day private visit to Scotland, where the President is staying at his Turnberry golf resort. Mr Swinney told Mr Trump Scotch whisky was “unique” to Scotland and the tariff was a “significant impediment”, making a direct appeal for special consideration of Scotland’s flagship industry.
Diplomatic progress indicated
Following the discussion, Swinney expressed cautious optimism about the prospects for progress. “I think there is an opportunity for us to make progress,” he added. “I wouldn’t have expected to be able to get an outcome in the course of the discussion I had yesterday, but the willingness shown by Trump suggests potential movement on the issue.
The First Minister’s diplomatic intervention represents a significant moment for Scotland’s whisky industry, which has been lobbying heavily for relief from the US tariffs that were imposed as part of broader trade tensions between the US and UK.
Strategic timing and implications
The timing of Swinney’s appeal coincides with broader discussions about US-UK trade relations under the Trump administration. The Scottish government has positioned the whisky industry as deserving special consideration due to its unique protected status and cultural significance to Scotland.
The meeting demonstrates the Scottish government’s willingness to engage directly with the US administration on key economic issues affecting Scotland, even as broader UK-US trade relations remain under negotiation. Success in securing an exemption could provide significant relief to Scottish distilleries and exporters.
The outcome of these discussions could set a precedent for how regional governments within the UK engage with international trade partners on sector-specific issues that disproportionately affect their economies.
REFH – Newshub, 30 July 2025
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