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Donald Trump stated he would elevate tariffs on whisky from the UK, offering a second of transatlantic commerce co-operation even because the broader relationship sours over the US’s Iran conflict.
The US president on Thursday posted on Reality Social that he would slash duties on British whisky, together with Scotch, “in honor” of King Charles III, who was departing Washington following a state go to to the US.
British officers have been pushing to safe a concession on the obligation from the White Home for nearly a yr, together with when Trump visited Scotland final summer time.
“The King and Queen acquired me to do one thing that no person else was capable of do, with out hardly even asking!” Trump wrote.
He stated his choice was additionally primarily based on “Scotland’s potential to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon”.
The president on Thursday informed reporters within the Oval Workplace that Scotland and Kentucky — which distils bourbon — “can begin dealing once more”. “It was a giant deal. They’ve been making an attempt to get this for a very long time.”
US commerce consultant Jamieson Greer stated the transfer was a part of the broader commerce deal between the US and UK.
In response to the Scotch Whisky Affiliation, a UK business physique, exports of Scotch to the US fell 15 per cent from April 2025 to February 2026 after Trump imposed the brand new tariffs final yr.
The affiliation in February stated world exports of the drinks in 2025 have been down 0.6 per cent in worth, to £5.36bn, and 4.3 per cent in quantity, to 1.3bn bottles, in comparison with the earlier yr.
Scotland’s first minister John Swinney hailed the lowered duties as “large information for Scotland”.
“As first minister, I’ve made it my mission to do every thing potential to elevate US tariffs on our whisky,” he stated.
“I specific my due to the president for listening and performing to elevate the tariffs. And Scotland is grateful to His Majesty the King for the important thing function he performed on this large success,” he added.
Trump’s social media submit is not going to enact a decreased tariff and US customs officers will nonetheless have to launch official paperwork to course of the change.
King Charles and Queen Camilla spent 4 days within the US and have been greeted on the White Home by Trump on Monday.
The state go to comes because the Iran conflict has soured the transatlantic relationship, with Trump accusing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and allies in Europe of not doing sufficient to assist the US and Israel of their marketing campaign towards the Islamic regime.
In a speech to Congress, King Charles urged the US and the UK to withstand strain to “turn into ever extra inward-looking”, and traced the historic ties between the 2 nations.
Extra reporting by Abigail Hauslohner
