First Minister travelling to Kentucky to talk about whisky tariffs

During his visit to the US, the First Minister will travel to Kentucky on Monday to build on the announcement earlier in the year by President Trump to remove the 10% tariff for whisky. He hopes to secure an end to the tariffs protecting the £933 million whisky exports to the US. Exports fell by 4% in value and more than 9% in volume compared to the trading figures from 2024, and The Scottish Government considers removing the tariffs a “high priority”. As part of the trip, Mr Swinney will: co-host a lunch with key representatives of the US spirits industry to keep up momentum on the removal of tariffs on Scotch whisky undertake a visit to Kentucky Cooperage and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel tour a distillery with members of the Congressional Bourbon Caucus The First Minister said: “Scotch whisky and Kentucky bourbon share a deep, long-standing connection – they’re two of the world’s great spirits and of high value to their respective economies. “Every year, millions of used bourbon barrels make their way from Kentucky to Scotland, where they’re used to age some of the world’s finest Scotch whiskies. The relationship between these two great spirits industries is genuinely symbiotic – each one helps make the other better. “I have consistently made the case to exempt Scotch whisky from the 10% tariff and was pleased by the President’s announcement that he would remove the tariff for whisky following the State Visit earlier this year. “My visit to Kentucky aims to build on both that shared heritage and President Trump’s commitment to remove the tariff for whisky, in a very important overseas market for Scotch.”