Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has pledged to press President Donald Trump for a critical exemption on Scotch whisky tariffs and to raise urgent concerns about the future of the North Sea energy sector as high-level talks unfold in Aberdeenshire this week.
Swinney is seeking to secure an exemption for Scotland’s iconic whisky from the United States’ 10% tariff on UK exports, describing Scotch whisky as a “unique product that can only be produced in Scotland.” He emphasised that the tariff regime, introduced during Trump’s administration, continues to cost the local industry £4million each week, threatening jobs and investment across rural communities. Swinney said, “It is a product that is much welcomed and supported within the United States. There is a really good case for exempting Scotch whisky, and this is an opportunity that I have to put that case to President Trump on behalf of the industry”.
Trade between Scotland and the US remains vital: the US continues to be the largest export market for Scotch whisky, worth almost £1billion in 2023. Despite a long history of tariffs harming the industry – most notably, a 25% levy imposed in Trump’s earlier term, which led to hundreds of millions in losses – Swinney remains hopeful that Trump’s renowned affinity for Scotland could secure a better deal for the sector. Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, echoed these hopes, highlighting the industry’s volatility and its economic significance.
Alongside the whisky debate, Trump’s visit is shining a spotlight on the North Sea oil and gas sector, particularly as he meets with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. The Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, through its chief executive Russell Borthwick, has urged Trump to “talk sense” into the Prime Minister regarding the region’s energy future. Borthwick warns that the government’s 78% Energy Profits Levy is deterring investment and causing the loss of 5,000 jobs in just 600 days. Stressing the urgent need for a supportive fiscal regime, he said, “We have essentially slapped a Trump Tariff on ourselves… Ask Sir Keir why the UK is turning its back on an industry which could generate an additional £165billion of GVA with the right conditions”.
Trump, whose connections to Scotland include both family heritage and extensive business interests, has vocally criticised the UK’s move towards wind power at the expense of traditional North Sea energy jobs. Urging the government to “open up the North Sea” and “get rid of windmills,” he insists that Aberdeen should remain the oil capital of Europe, arguing this would rapidly drive down UK energy costs and protect critical local employment.
The high-stakes discussions come as Trump and Starmer work to cement a new US-UK trade pact. While details of the bilateral talks remain closely held, the outcome could have major implications for Scottish jobs, industry, and the daily lives of communities across the north-east.
As the world watches, Scotland’s whisky and oil industries hope that Aberdeenshire will once again prove the stage for pivotal decisions. For now, leaders like Swinney and sector voices from Aberdeen are making sure Scotland’s interests are front and centre in this diplomatic moment.
