John Swinney to meet Donald Trump in Oval Office for whisky tariff talks

Glenn CampbellBBC Scotland Information political editorPA MediaJohn Swinney is hoping to persuade Donald Trump to exempt Scotch whisky from import tariffs First Minister John Swinney is to satisfy US President Donald Trump within the White Home to debate tariffs on Scotch whisky imports.Swinney is lobbying for the present 10% fee to be decreased or eliminated on the idea that it will profit each Scottish and US distillers.The Scotch Whisky Affiliation (SWA) has mentioned that the tariffs value the business about £4m per week and that their US counterparts are nervous concerning the affect on their gross sales of bourbon barrels to Scotland.The primary minister believes there’s a window of alternative for dialogue following his assembly with Trump in Aberdeenshire in July, and earlier than the president’s second state go to to the UK subsequent week.It’s understood that Swinney’s lobbying efforts on this challenge are supported by the UK authorities, which formally negotiates on commerce coverage with the US.Previous to the assembly, the primary minister met representatives of the Scotch Whisky Affiliation and Distilled Spirits Council of the US. Swinney mentioned: “When President Trump got here to Scotland in July, we raised Scotch whisky with him and obtained it on the commerce deal agenda. “Now, with simply over per week to go earlier than the President makes a state go to to the UK, now we have a vital likelihood to comply with up and make the case for a greater deal.”Scotch whisky holds a singular place, as it may solely legally be produced in Scotland. “Scotch whisky and Kentucky bourbon have made frequent trigger. This is not a case of US enterprise versus imports to the US. Each agree that they need no tariffs. That is an actual power.”As we speak’s discussions with the President are one other likelihood to make that case and to combat for the perfect deal potential for Scotland.”The White HouseJohn Swinney (proper) met President Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) on the Trump resort at Balmedie in July Swinney can be accompanied to his Oval Workplace assembly by the UK’s ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, whose previous friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein is within the media highlight. The primary minister can also be staying with Mandelson whereas he’s in Washington DC. Trump is predicted to be accompanied to the assembly by the Secretary of State Marco Rubio.It’s potential that worldwide points together with Gaza and Ukraine may additionally be mentioned.On commerce, the UK authorities has secured a ten% tariff association on most UK items coming into the US.That’s 5% decrease than what’s utilized to items coming into the US market from international locations within the European Union.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his crew are looking for to barter additional concessions.Combined messagesWhen Sir Keir appeared on the Trump Turnberry golf resort with the president in July, Trump mentioned he didn’t realise whisky was a problem however agreed to debate it.After Swinney met the president at his golf resort in Aberdeenshire, the primary minister mentioned he had made the case for higher buying and selling phrases for Scotch whisky.In his return flight to Washington, Trump performed down the extent of those discussions.It’s going to grow to be clear whether or not or not there’s any motion on the prevailing US-UK commerce settlement through the state go to, from 17 to 19 September.Earlier, the primary minister’s spokesman refused to touch upon whether or not Swinney was comfy staying with Mandelson in gentle of the Epstein reviews. The spokesman additionally declined to touch upon whether or not the primary minister would increase the problem with Mandelson at a scheduled breakfast assembly. The previous Labour minister informed the BBC that he “has lengthy been clear that he very a lot regrets ever having been launched to Epstein”.Swinney has already travelled to the US this 12 months, visiting New York in April through the annual Tartan Week celebrations. Trump has imposed the ten% tariff on whisky and most different UK items earlier this 12 months. The tax is paid by US importers, who usually move some or the entire additional value on to their US clients.The SWA, which is working with the equal commerce physique within the US, has mentioned that a few fifth of all Scotch whisky is exported to the US.The physique mentioned that market was value £971m in 2024, with the tariffs would value the business about £200m a 12 months.Earlier, SWA director Graeme Littlejohn mentioned the tariffs additionally harmed the US bourbon business, which exports casks to Scotland for whisky maturation. Mr Littlejohn mentioned that over the length of Trump’s second time period in workplace, $1.2bn (£0.88bn) of outdated bourbon barrels have been anticipated to Scottish distilleries. He informed BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland: “We’re seeing much less Scotch whisky going into the market and we’re seeing injury finished to the business.”Meaning much less commerce to not solely these cask producers – these cooperages – but in addition to wholesale distribution and hospitality throughout the US.”Getting the tariffs again all the way down to zero for Scotch whisky would clearly profit Scotland and the business straight, however it will even be a great factor for the US business and for the US economic system.”