‘Crucial’ for Scotland to build on relationship with US, says Swinney

It is “crucial” for Scotland to build on its relationship with the US, First Minister John Swinney said ahead of a visit to the country.

Swinney will cross the Atlantic on Friday for the annual Tartan Week celebrations, where he is expected to meet with business bosses in a bid to boost investment in Scotland.

The visit comes at a time of international trade turmoil after President Donald Trump slapped the UK with a minimum 10% tariff on exports to the US.

However, a spokesman for Swinney told journalists on Thursday there were no plans to meet anyone in the administration during the New York visit, and no attempt had been made to secure such a summit.

John Swinney will head to New York on Friday (Jane Barlow/PA). PA Media

He later told the PA news agency he did not want to get in the way of trade talks between the UK and US governments by meeting with officials in America.

Speaking ahead of the visit, where he will meet with energy private equity firm Quantum Capital; speak at a Scottish Chambers of Commerce reception; and host an event with the Lord Mayor of London for the financial services sector; the First Minister said he was “delighted” to be visiting the US.

“Scotland is one of the best places in the world to do business – that is the clear message I will be taking to the USA today,” he added.

“We saw evidence of that recently with the announcement by visual effects company Halon that it would be investing £28 million to create a studio in Glasgow, creating up to 250 jobs over the next three years.

“As a priority trade partner, we already enjoy strong economic links with the United States, links that reflect broader social and cultural ties developed over many years.

“It is our largest inward investor and second largest export market, so it is crucial we build on existing relationships to seize future opportunities.

“Doing so will benefit businesses in Scotland and create jobs, while contributing to our economic growth, and the prosperity of our nation.”

During the Tartan Week celebrations, the Scottish Chamber of Commerce will also sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with its New York counterpart.

The agreement, it is hoped, will facilitate entry into each other’s markets, boost bilateral trade and strengthen economic ties between the two bodies.

Charandeep Singh, the deputy chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said he hoped the agreement could soften the blow of the tariffs announced on Thursday.

“Scotland and the United States share a deep-rooted economic and cultural relationship, and this MOU is a powerful statement of our commitment to strengthening business links,” he added.

“By partnering with the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, we are creating a bridge for Scottish businesses to access one of the world’s most dynamic markets while welcoming American businesses to explore opportunities in Scotland.

“This agreement is a clear demonstration of the growing strength of the Scotland-USA economic partnership, reinforcing Scotland’s position as a key player in international trade and investment.

“It sends a positive signal to the international community that Scotland is open for business and expanding its horizons.

“The US market remains a top priority for our businesses and we support the UK and Scottish Governments’ continued dialogue and negotiations to strengthen the partnership and find solutions to ease the impact of the proposed new tariffs.”

Mark Jaffe, the president and chief executive of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, said: “New York and Scotland are natural business partners, sharing a spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and global ambition.

“This agreement will open doors for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, helping them navigate new markets and build lasting connections.

“We look forward to working closely with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce to support businesses in seizing new opportunities and expanding their international reach.”