SWINNEY: “A win for Scotland and a win for the United States”
First Minister John Swinney has welcomed the lifting of US tariffs on Scotch whisky and the creation of a ‘zero-for-zero’ tariff regime from today.
The exemption announced by President Trump following the King’s State Visit in April, was confirmed by US Authorities today and come into force today (Friday).
Scotland exports more whisky to the United States than to any other country.
The First Minister said: “The end of US tariffs on Scotch whisky has now been confirmed by the US Authorities and from, tomorrow, will be whisky will be tariff free.
“This follows the remarkable contribution of the King and a ‘Team Scotland’ approach that saw the Scotch Whisky Association and the Scottish Government work hand in hand.
“We were able to partner with the bourbon industry in the United States, raise the issue with President Trump in the Oval Office, and get this issue on his agenda.
“The result is a ‘zero-for-zero’ tariff regime that is a win for Scotland and a win for the United States. It benefits businesses and workers on both sides of the Atlantic and not just among whisky producers but also the businesses and communities that support the sector across Scotland.
“This is a good day for Scotland.”
International Director at the Scotch Whisky Association Ian Duddy said: “The return of tariff-free trade for Scotch Whisky in the US is welcome news for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.
“As Scotch Whisky’s most valuable global market, worth £933 million in 2025, the removal of tariffs provides greater confidence to invest, grow exports, and support jobs and communities across Scotland and the US.
“From Kentucky to Speyside, this will not only benefit the Scotch and US whisky sectors, but our wider supply chains of cooperages, farmers, hospitality and retail.
“This outcome is testament to the strength of the enduring relationship between the UK and the US. On behalf of the Scotch Whisky industry, we are grateful to everyone who worked to make this happen, including His Majesty The King during his recent State Visit.
“We look forward to building on this positive momentum and working with partners on both sides of the Atlantic to ensure Scotch Whisky continues to thrive.”
To mark the long-awaited milestone, Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander visited Pernod Ricard’s Strathclyde Distillery in the heart of Glasgow.
https://twitter.com/UKGovScotland/status/2080571196970557645/video/1
Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said: “This is a day of celebration for Scotland’s whisky industry. The removal of tariffs by the US is a significant measure that will open up opportunities for growth and prominence for this already beloved Scottish product in US towns and cities.
The action taken by President Trump demonstrates the partnership our two countries have and the close working in trade that supports economic growth both here in the UK and in the United States.
This is the second action this month which has opened up the world even more to our whisky exports, with the India Free Trade Agreement, which came into force earlier in July, seeing tariffs reduced from 150% to 40% over the next ten years.
Businesses have also benefitted from recent deals with China, the Gulf Co-operation Council, the EU, and the US, as the UK Government delivers for Scotland and continues to use the strength and reach of the UK to support economic growth in Scotland.
“I join all those raising a dram today for the efforts to reach this point and look forward to seeing our whisky industry flourish.”
The whisky industry supports 41,000 jobs in Scotland and a further 25,000 jobs across the UK, according to the Scotch Whisky Association.
The removal of tariffs by the US is the latest big win for the industry this month, with the India FTA coming into force and reducing whisky tariffs from 150% to 75% immediately, then to 40% over ten years.