Trump drops whisky tariffs after royal visit to US – Daily Business

The King and Queen with Donald Trump and First Lady Melania

Donald Trump will remove some tariffs and restrictions on whisky imports after saying King Charles and Queen Camilla “got me to do something that nobody else was able to do”.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney claimed it was his lobbying in the White House last summer that led to the US president’s decision to drop the levies.

“I have made it my mission to do everything possible to lift US tariffs on our whisky,” said the SNP leader, “Now, that hard work has paid off.”

However, in a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said the move was “in honour of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom” who had forced the change “without hardly even asking”.

The US president said he would lift restrictions on Scotland’s ability to work with the state of Kentucky on whisky and bourbon.

The main customer for Kentucky’s used bourbon barrels is the Scotch industry, which has been importing around £200m-worth each year.

The Scottish and UK governments had both lobbied for the current 10% tariff rate to be reduced or removed on the basis it would benefit both Scottish and US distillers.

Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said the deal was a “significant boost” for the industry in its most valuable export market.

“We are hugely grateful for the sustained efforts on both sides of the Atlantic,” he said.

“For months, many have worked tirelessly to return zero-for-zero tariff trade for whisky and bourbon.”

He added: “The special relationship that the Scotch Whisky and American Whiskey industries share will be reinvigorated by this announcement.”

The UK government – which leads on trade negotiations – has been asked for comment. Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander has played a key role in negotiations with the US trade authorities.

#Trump #drops #whisky #tariffs #royal #visit #Daily #Business