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Donald Trump will remove some tariffs and restrictions on whisky imports after saying King Charles and Queen Camilla \u201cgot me to do something that nobody else was able to do\u201d.<\/p>\n
Scotland\u2019s First Minister John Swinney claimed it was his lobbying in the White House last summer that led to the US president\u2019s decision to drop the levies.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have made it my mission to do everything possible to lift US tariffs on our whisky,\u201d said the SNP leader, \u201cNow, that hard work has paid off.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, in a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said the move was \u201cin honour of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom\u201d who had forced the change \u201cwithout hardly even asking\u201d.<\/p>\n
The US president said he would lift restrictions on Scotland\u2019s ability to work with the state of Kentucky on whisky and bourbon.<\/p>\n
The main customer for Kentucky\u2019s used bourbon barrels is the Scotch industry, which has been importing around \u00a3200m-worth each year.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said the deal was a \u201csignificant boost\u201d for the industry in its most valuable export market.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are hugely grateful for the sustained efforts on both sides of the Atlantic,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor months, many have worked tirelessly to return zero-for-zero tariff trade for whisky and bourbon.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe special relationship that the Scotch Whisky and American Whiskey industries share will be reinvigorated by this announcement.\u201d<\/p>\n
The UK government \u2013 which leads on trade negotiations \u2013 has been asked for comment. Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander has played a key role in negotiations with the US trade authorities.<\/p>\n
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