Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has called on US President Donald Trump to exempt scotch whisky from 10% tariffs, during talks at Trump's Aberdeenshire golf resort. Swinney described the discussions as 'very convivial' and said there is a 'window of opportunity' to address the issue, which is costing the scotch whisky industry an estimated £4 million per week.
The pair met before a ceremony opening a new 36-hole golf course at the Trump International Resort on the Menie Estate. Trump, who dedicated the course to his late mother, thanked Swinney and called him a 'very special guy'. The UK and US signed a trade deal in June, but it did not protect every sector from tariffs.
Swinney also raised the humanitarian crisis in Gaza during the formal meeting, urging Trump to use his influence on the Israeli government to end the 'unbearable, unjust, and inhumane situation'. Trump, who played a round on the new course before returning to Washington, said he was needed to 'put out fires all over the world'.
