Donald Trump has announced the removal of tariffs on Scottish whisky following a visit from King Charles and Queen Camilla to the White House. The US president credited the Scotch industry's ties with American bourbon and the royal visit for the decision, stating that the King and Queen "got me to do something that nobody else was able to do."
Background on the Tariffs
The 10% tariffs had been a point of contention, with the Scottish and UK governments lobbying for their removal. The US is the largest market for Scotch whisky, and without Trump's intervention, the industry could have faced an additional 25% tariff in the spring as part of his broader tariff agenda. Previously, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Scotch between 2019 and 2021, costing the sector over £600 million, or £1 million per day, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
Royal Influence and Political Reactions
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "In honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful Country, I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whiskey... The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!"
First Minister John Swinney, who had previously met Trump in Scotland and Washington to press the case, hailed the decision as "tremendous news for Scotland." He noted that jobs were at stake and millions were being lost monthly, and he thanked the King for his "key role." Swinney added, "Scotland needs a government that is always on Scotland's side... That is what we offer and today shows how important it is."
SWA Chief Executive Mark Kent welcomed the announcement, calling it "a significant boost for the Scotch Whisky industry in our most valuable export market." He expressed gratitude for efforts on both sides of the Atlantic and said the "special relationship" between Scotch and American whiskey industries would be reinvigorated.
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle also praised the news, highlighting the industry's worth of almost £1 billion in exports and its support for thousands of UK jobs.
