{"id":463432,"date":"2026-05-01T15:38:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/463432\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T15:38:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:38:15","slug":"trump-to-remove-scottish-whisky-tariffs-after-king-charles-us-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/463432\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump to remove Scottish whisky tariffs after King Charles’ US visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Britain’s King Charles<\/strong> is toasting Donald Trump<\/strong> after the US president said he will remove tariffs on Scottish whisky.<\/p>\n

Trump cited the Scotch industry\u2019s relationship with the American bourbon industry and the impact of the royals\u2019 visit to the White House.<\/p>\n

He said that while \u201cpeople have wanted to do this for a long time\u201d Charles and Camilla \u201cgot me to do something that nobody else was able to do\u201d.<\/p>\n

\n

Just landed from the US after a round of productive meetings, including with President Trump, pushing for a better deal for our Scotch Whisky industry and standing up for Scotland.<\/p>\n

More on this at my press conference at 2:30pm. pic.twitter.com\/Vuyiwd6Vm5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) September 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Scottish and UK governments had been lobbying the Republican to end the 10 per cent tariffs on the industry, as the US is the single biggest market for Scotland\u2019s whisky.<\/p>\n

In a statement Buckingham Palace said: \u201cThe King has been informed of President Trump\u2019s warm gesture and sends his sincere gratitude for a decision that will make an important difference to the British whisky industry and the livelihoods it supports.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis Majesty will be raising a dram to the President\u2019s thoughtfulness and generous hospitality as he departs the US after a most enjoyable State Visit for both Their Majesties in this special anniversary year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Confirming the news, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: \u201cIn 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 having to do with Scotland\u2019s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important Industries within Scotland and Kentucky.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople have wanted to do this for a long time, in that there had been great Inter-Country Trade, especially having to do with the Wooden Barrels used. The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!<\/p>\n

\u201cA wonderful Honor to have them both in the U.S.A. \u00a0President DONALD J. TRUMP.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most Scotch producers source their casks from the US. Without the intervention, the industry could have seen another 25 per cent in the spring as Trump continues his tariff agenda.<\/p>\n

Mr Trump\u2019s previous 25 per cent Scotch tariff between 2019 and 2021 resulted in the sector losing more than \u00a3600 million, or \u00a31 million a day, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said.<\/p>\n

\"JohnJohn Swinney welcomed the tariffs decision (Jane Barlow\/PA)<\/p>\n

The trade body estimates the current 10 per cent tariffs are costing whisky firms \u00a33m in lost exports each week.<\/p>\n

In 2025, first minister John Swinney went to the White House to press the president following discussions during his visit to Scotland.<\/p>\n

Swinney hailed the decision as \u201ctremendous news for Scotland\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cAs First Minister, I have made it my mission to do everything possible to lift US tariffs on our whisky.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople\u2019s jobs were at stake. Millions of pounds were being lost every month from the Scottish economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYet despite this, and despite months of trade talks, it was obvious to me that the UK Government had done little to raise the issue of Scotch whisky, and the US president was not aware that there was an issue until he came here to Scotland.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy meeting the president during his visit to Scotland and by going to Washington, to the Oval Office, we made Scotland\u2019s case. We worked directly with the Scotch Whisky Association to get Scotland\u2019s voice heard.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, we used every chance to drive our point home, not least the State Banquet hosted by His Majesty The King in London last September.\u201d<\/p>\n

Swinney said that \u201chard work\u201d had \u201cpaid off\u201d and expressed his thanks to the president \u201cfor listening and acting to lift the tariffs\u201d.<\/p>\n

\n

BREAKING: President Trump has announced he is removing tariffs on #ScotchWhisky<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Great news for the industry in our largest global market.<\/p>\n

Read the full SWA statement \ud83d\udc49 https:\/\/t.co\/egm8Jqx1F4<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/D1evgmW7Rc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Scotch Whisky Association (@ScotchWhiskySWA) April 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He also said that Scotland was \u201cgrateful\u201d to Charles for the \u201ckey role he played in this tremendous success\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cScotland needs a government that is always on Scotland\u2019s side,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt needs experienced leadership that is focused on delivering and knows how to get things done at the very highest level.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is what we offer and today shows how important it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Russell Findlay, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, accused Swinney\u2019s party of being dishonest.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cThe King has secured an agreement from the US president to remove tariffs on Scotch whisky. John Swinney is trying to claim credit. Why are the SNP so dishonest?\u201d<\/p>\n

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar praised the UK government, saying: \u201cI am delighted that these tariffs have been lifted, and hope that we can continue to strengthen our close ties as a country with the United States.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is thanks to the extensive engagement and negotiation of the UK Labour government with counterparts in the US which has made this great success possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

The SWA, the industry\u2019s trade body, welcomed the news.<\/p>\n

Chief executive Mark Kent said: \u201cThis deal is a significant boost for the Scotch Whisky industry in our most valuable export market. Distillers can breathe a little easier during a period of significant pressure on the sector.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are hugely grateful for the sustained efforts on both sides of the Atlantic. For months, many have worked tirelessly to return zero-for-zero tariff trade for whisky and bourbon. The special relationship that the Scotch Whisky and American Whiskey industries share will be reinvigorated by this announcement.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile challenges in our sector remain, we can now redouble our efforts to boost the benefits our two great industries bring to communities across Scotland and the US.\u201d<\/p>\n

Business and trade secretary Peter Kyle said: \u201cThis is great news for our Scotch whisky industry, which is worth almost \u00a31 billion in exports and supports thousands of jobs across the UK.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been advocating for lower tariffs on key exports like whisky to protect vital jobs and iconic British brands while strengthening our relationship with the US.\u201d<\/p>\n