US President Donald Trump has announced plans to remove tariffs on Scottish whisky following a visit to Washington by Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla, in a move welcomed by Scottish officials and the UK government.
The decision, shared by Trump on his Truth Social platform, comes after renewed diplomatic engagement between the US and the United Kingdom and sustained lobbying from both Scottish and British leaders over the impact of tariffs on one of Scotland’s most important exports.
Trump linked the policy shift to discussions held during the royal visit, saying the King and Queen had influenced the outcome. He also pointed to the long-standing commercial ties between Scotland’s whisky producers and America’s bourbon industry, particularly the trade in oak barrels used in production.
“People have wanted to do this for a long time,” Trump wrote, adding that the royal couple “got me to do something that nobody else was able to do.”
The United States is the largest export market for Scotch whisky, a sector worth close to £1 billion in annual exports and supporting thousands of jobs across the UK. The Scottish Government and Westminster had both pressed for tariff relief in recent months, with First Minister John Swinney making direct appeals during meetings in Washington and earlier discussions in Scotland.
Swinney described the announcement as “tremendous news for Scotland,” crediting coordinated efforts between the Scottish Government, the UK Government, and industry representatives. He said months of negotiations and diplomatic outreach had been aimed at protecting jobs and reducing economic losses linked to the tariffs.
“People’s jobs were at stake,” Swinney said, adding that consistent engagement with US officials and the Scotch Whisky Association had helped ensure Scotland’s concerns were heard at the highest level.
UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle also welcomed the development, saying it would support employment and strengthen transatlantic trade. He noted that whisky remains one of Britain’s most recognisable global exports.
The move could also have wider implications for international spirits trade. Irish whiskey producers are now assessing whether the tariff removal might extend to their exports, particularly in relation to shipments from Northern Ireland. Industry sources say clarity is needed, with the full impact expected to depend on the wording of an upcoming US executive order.
While the announcement has been broadly welcomed, officials across the sector are awaiting confirmation of the legal framework that will govern the tariff changes and determine how far-reaching the policy shift will be.
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