POLITICIANS FIGHT LIKE CATS IN A SACK OVER CREDIT FOR ABOLITION OF TARIFFS ON SCOTCH WHISKY

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 28: (L-R) King Charles III and U.S. President Donald Trump give a toast in the East Room during an official state dinner at The White House on day two of the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States of America.  The dinner, part of a trip arranged to celebrate the United States of America’s 250th anniversary of its independence, is the first formal white tie event at The White House since President George W. Bush hosted Queen Elizabeth II in 2007.

by Bill Heaney 

In the end, it wasn’t concerted individual and joint lobbying efforts from the Scotch whisky and American whiskey industries that brought an end to Scotch whisky tariffs in the U.S.

Following a state visit to the White House from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is removing the 10% tariffs on Scotch whisky imports into the United States.

The announcement came in a Truth Social post during the final day of the royal couple’s visit. Trump’s post stated:

“In Honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful Country, I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whiskey having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important Industries within Scotland and Kentucky.”

The president characteristically framed the decision as a personal favour, adding: “The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!”

Though tariffs on whisky first began during Trump’s first term, a 2025 trade agreement had placed most British goods at a 10% rate, including whisky.

Whisky distillers and distributors on both sides of the Atlantic, such as Chivas Brothers in Dumbarton and all the smaller spirits producers around Loch Lomondside, are cheering the deal as the costs of tariffs had been significant.

The Chivas Brothers spirits bottling and packaging factory in Dumbarton.

Industry data claims that it had contributed to a 15 per cent drop in Kentucky whiskey exports in 2025 and cost the Scotch sector an estimated four million pounds per week.

First Minister John Swinney, who expressed gratitude to both Trump and King Charles, put it plainly: “People’s jobs were at stake. Millions of pounds were being lost every month from the Scottish economy.”

The announcement fits a broader pattern in Trump’s approach to trade, in which spirits and agriculture have repeatedly served as political pressure points.

Last year, Trump threatened a 200% tariff on European wine, a move that would have been a major blow to producers in France and Italy who are already going through a tough crisis, though the proposal was never implemented.

In a separate case, the administration also had exempted cork from tariffs, providing significant relief to Portugal, the world’s leading supplier of wine corks.

Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has slammed John Swinney for his “dishonesty” following President Trump’s removal of US tariffs on whisky products.

Russell Findlay said: “Dishonest John Swinney is shamelessly, pathetically and disrespectfully trying to claim credit after the King secured a deal with the US president to remove Scotch whisky tariffs.

Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said: “It’s great to be back in Scotland and I’m delighted to be with Russell Findlay in Edinburgh, following this excellent news for the Scotch Whisky industry.

“These damaging and punitive tariffs were having a devastating impact – something I heard first hand from a whisky business in Glasgow during my visit earlier this year.

“His Majesty deserves every credit for his quiet diplomacy in securing the removal of these tariffs.

“This will be a welcome boost for an industry which, like many others, is having to cope with the impacts of anti-business policies and punitive taxes from the SNP and Labour.”

Labour’s election candidate for the Dumbarton constituency seat in next Thursday’s election, Dame Jackie Baillie, said:  “John Swinney and the SNP’s record is so dismal that they are now trying to claim credit for work they are not responsible for.

We know that the King has a special relationship with Islay-distilled Laphroaig and that he was presented with a barrel of this distinctive brand when Allied Distillers of Dumbarton owned it.

And that the King has written a thank-you message to the President, saying how pleased he is and that perhaps they should have “a wee dram” together to celebrate next time they meet.

See also Dumbarton Notebook by BILL HEANEY