Scottish Deputy First Minister John Swinney has been accused of blatant 'political point scoring' after using a high-stakes meeting with former President Donald Trump in the Oval Office to lobby against punishing American tariffs on Scotch whisky.
A Controversial Diplomatic Move
The meeting, intended to foster UK-US relations, took an unexpected turn when Mr. Swinney diverted the discussion to the sensitive topic of trade. The 25% tariff on single malt Scotch whisky, imposed by the Trump administration during a separate trade dispute, has been a thorn in the side of Scottish exporters.
Critics were swift to condemn the move, labelling it a "transparent attempt" to gain political capital for the Scottish National Party ahead of crucial elections, rather than a genuine effort at diplomacy.
Industry Backlash and Political Fallout
While the Scotch Whisky Association has long campaigned for the removal of the tariffs, many felt the setting and timing of Mr. Swinney's intervention were deeply inappropriate. Opposition parties in Westminster and Holyrood slammed the deputy first minister for prioritising SNP messaging over broader UK diplomatic efforts.
One Whitehall source described the manoeuvre as "counterproductive," suggesting that such a unilateral approach could undermine the UK government's own ongoing negotiations to resolve the trade dispute permanently.
The Defence from Holyrood
Defending his actions, Mr. Swinney stated that he has a "duty to stand up for key Scottish industries" whenever the opportunity arises. He emphasised the significant financial blow the tariffs have dealt to distillers across Scotland, particularly those in traditional whisky-producing regions.
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between devolved and national governments on the international stage, raising questions about protocol and the best way to advocate for national interests abroad.
