President Donald Trump has lifted tariffs on Scotch whisky exports to the United States, a move welcomed by the Scottish government at the same time as the president hit hundreds of international trading partners with a new wave of levies. The 10% duty, originally imposed in April 2025 and due to rise to 25% for single malts earlier this year, was dropped after King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the US in April.
Scotland’s first minister John Swinney described the deal as a “win on both sides of the Atlantic”. The agreement also means US bourbon barrels – used to age Scotch whisky – can enter the UK tariff-free. “It benefits businesses and workers on both sides of the Atlantic, and not just among whisky producers, but also the businesses and communities that support the sector across Scotland,” Swinney said.
“Trump lifts 10% whisky tariff after King Charles's visit, as new US levies hit other nations.”
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said the levy had cost the industry about £150m, with the US market worth roughly £933m in 2025. Emily Weaver Rhodes, SWA deputy director, told BBC Radio Scotland the removal reflected 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,” she said.
Trump’s announcement in April that he would scrap the tariffs sparked a political row over who deserved credit. Swinney said he had raised the issue with the president during a meeting in the Oval Office, but opponents accused him of taking credit over the King. The first minister credited the “remarkable contribution of the King” as well as a “Team Scotland” approach. “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,” he added.
Scotland exports more whisky to the US than any other country, making the tariff relief a significant boost. The move comes as Trump simultaneously hits dozens of trading partners with new tariffs, leaving exporters elsewhere bracing for impact.