The Scottish government has welcomed the lifting of tariffs on Scotch whisky exports to the United States, as President Donald Trump hit hundreds of international trading partners with a new wave of levies. The deal will also see US bourbon and casks arriving in the UK tariff-free, and Scotland's first minister John Swinney said it was a "win on both sides of the Atlantic".
Trump agreed that he would lift the tariffs after King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to the US in April. The US had originally imposed a 10% levy on Scotch whisky in April 2025, and this had been due to increase earlier this year to 25% for single malts.
What does the deal mean for Scotch whisky exports?
It removes a tariff that Scotland's whisky sector said had been hurting exports to its biggest market. Scotland exports more whisky to the US than any other country, and the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said the levy had cost the industry about £150m, with the US market worth about £933m in 2025.
Emily Weaver Rhodes, SWA deputy director, told BBC Radio Scotland that the removal of tariffs showed the positive relationship between the US and UK.
"There are really strong grounds and good evidence for why this is important not just for the UK, but for the US economy and that is delivering on the president's ambition to create jobs.
I think on both sides of the Atlantic we are raising a dram to celebrate."
The deal will also see Kentucky bourbon barrels – which are used to age Scotch whisky – come to the UK without tariffs.
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Why are politicians calling it a win for both countries?
John Swinney said the agreement supports businesses and workers in both countries, including those beyond whisky production. He described it as a benefit for businesses and workers on both sides of the Atlantic, and said it would help the wider communities that support the sector across Scotland.
This a win for Scotland and a win for the United States.
He also said the arrangement was relevant not just to whisky producers, but to the businesses and communities that support the sector across Scotland.
Trump's announcement in April that he would drop whisky tariffs had sparked a row over who was able to claim credit for changing his mind. Swinney said he had raised the issue with President Trump during a previous meeting in the Oval Office.
We were able to partner with the bourbon industry in the United States, raise the issue with President Trump in the Oval Office, and get this issue on his agenda.
Political opponents accused him of taking credit for the deal over King Charles. The first minister said it had come courtesy of the "remarkable contribution of the King" and a "Team Scotland" approach.
He added that he had worked with the bourbon industry in the United States, raised the issue in the Oval Office and helped put the tariff issue on the president's agenda.
Key Facts
- The US originally imposed a 10% levy on Scotch whisky in April 2025.
- The tariff had been due to rise to 25% for single malts earlier this year.
- The Scotch Whisky Association said the levy cost the industry about £150m.
- The US market for Scotch whisky was worth about £933m in 2025.
- US bourbon and casks will enter the UK tariff-free under the deal.
