09 September 2025
First Minister joins SWA in Washington DC to press for zero tariff trade
The First Minister has flown to Washington D.C. to press for a better deal on Scotch Whisky tariffs that are currently costing £4 million per week.
With just over a week to go before President Trump’s State Visit to the UK, the First Minister has joined a delegation from the Scotch Whisky Association. They will jointly engage with representatives of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) to advocate for a better deal including, ideally, zero-for-zero tariffs on spirits as part of the ongoing UK-USA trade negotiations.
The trip directly supports the Scottish Government's key priority to grow the economy with Scotland's whisky industry employing more than 40,000 workers, many located in rural areas.
First Minister John Swinney said:
“During President Trump’s visit to Scotland in July, we succeeded in putting whisky firmly on the trade agenda and I pledged to do whatever I could to help get a better tariff deal.
“The negotiations themselves are, of course, for the UK negotiating team but during this trip we are partnering with industry to promote the interests of Scotch Whisky – a key economic interest and iconic Scottish product – and make the case for a better tariff deal.
“We will argue that the reduction of tariffs is in the interests of the United States as well as Scotland. 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.
“With President Trump’s state visit imminent, these are critical days on which hopes of a better tariff deal for Scotch Whisky rest. We are here to make sure we have done everything possible to get the best deal for Scotland.”
Good morning from Washington DC. I am here with @ScotchWhiskySWA to try to get the best deal for the industry. It’s about jobs and investment in Scotland. 🏴 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zT30bIyR05
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) September 9, 2025
Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive Mark Kent
Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive Mark Kent said:
“The First Minister’s visit to the United States to press the case for removal of Scotch Whisky tariffs is a positive and timely intervention ahead of the President’s forthcoming State Visit to the UK.
“The current 10% tariff is costing the Scotch Whisky industry £4 million a week in lost exports, with businesses losing out on investment, employment and growth. Scotch Whisky and US Whiskey share a close and longstanding trade relationship, and industries on both sides welcome the First Minister’s leadership on this issue and his efforts to strike a deal which will benefit communities in Scotland and across the US.”
Simon Erlanger, Managing Director of Isle of Harris Distillers, said:
“We started our distillery 10 years ago to provide employment and opportunities to this remote corner of Scotland, and in that time we’ve grown to be the biggest employer on the island. Challenges to our global trade – particularly the tariffs in the US, our biggest market – have hit the distillery hard, and we are managing cuts to employment and growth.
“I’m grateful that the First Minister is behind businesses like ours, publicly making the argument for tariff removal on Scotch Whisky at the earliest opportunity. Removal of tariffs would be a huge boost, helping to support jobs and investment across rural communities like ours.”
Chris Swonger, President & CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States said:
“Scotland and the United States share a rich tradition of whisky-making, rooted in centuries of heritage and craftsmanship.
“While our two sectors share a very special heritage, Scotch whisky and American Whiskey are protected distinctive products that can only be made in our respective countries. For our great whiskey sectors to continue to thrive, we need a permanent return to zero-for-zero tariffs, which will benefit distillers, farmers and hospitality workers throughout Scotland and the United States.”