First Minister John Swinney met President Donald Trump at the White House yesterday, holding a 50-minute meeting in the Oval Office ahead of the US President’s State Visit to the United Kingdom next week.
The discussions focused on international issues and trade, with the First Minister making a renewed push for a fairer tariff deal on Scotch whisky exports to the United States.
President Trump was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the meeting, where the First Minister also confirmed he would attend the upcoming State Banquet at Windsor Palace.
Speaking after the meeting, John Swinney said the coming days were critical in securing progress on tariffs affecting one of Scotland’s most valuable exports.
“With the US state visit to the UK just days away, we are now entering the critical days on which hopes of a better tariff deal for Scotch whisky rest,” he said.
“Scotch whisky holds a unique position, as it can only legally be produced in Scotland.
“During my discussions with President Trump, I made the case to reduce the tariffs on the Scotch whisky industry, something the US industry supports.”
Swinney stressed the deep economic ties between the two nations’ spirits industries, noting that Scottish distillers spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on Bourbon casks from Kentucky.
“The United States is the largest market for Scotch whisky,” he added.
“Given whisky exports to the US were worth almost £1 billion in 2024, its importance to the Scottish economy cannot be underestimated and I am determined to do all that I can to protect and safeguard this iconic Scottish product.”
Although trade negotiations remain the responsibility of the UK Government, the First Minister’s personal intervention adds political weight to calls for a deal that benefits Scottish producers and US partners alike.
Later in the day, the First Minister joined the Scotch Whisky Association on Capitol Hill, where they met with key Democratic and Republican members of Congress to continue promoting the case for tariff reduction.
John Swinney was accompanied at the White House by HM Ambassador to the United States Lord Peter Mandelson, the Scottish Government Chief of Staff, and the First Minister’s Private Secretary.
