First Minister John Swinney met with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, at the White House on Tuesday.
The 50-minute meeting took place ahead of the US President’s State Visit to the UK next week. The First Minister was able to confirm to the President he will attend the State Banquet at Windsor Palace.
During the meeting in the Oval Office, where the President was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the First Minister used the opportunity to make the case for a better tariff deal for Scotch whisky. The First Minister also raised the international situation including the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Qatar.
First Minister John Swinney said: “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. 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.
“The United States is the largest market for Scotch whisky but Scottish distillers also spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year buying Bourbon casks from Kentucky.
“The negotiations themselves are, of course, for the UK negotiating team but 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.”
The situation in Gaza has been well documented since Hamas and other groups abducted 251 people from Israel, taking them to the Gaza Strip. But earlier on Tuesday Israel ordered those living in Gaza City – around 1 million people – to evacuate to the south. Israel plans to take over and occupy the city.
Israel launched a strike on Qatar on Tuesday targeting leaders of Hamas. The strike was condemned by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who said it was a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty.
photo courtesy of The Scottish Government
