John Swinney and Donald Trump discuss whisky tariffs at Oval Office meeting

First Minister John Swinney has met President Donald Trump in the Oval Office to discuss whisky tariffs.

Swinney is in the United States to undertake a series of trade and political meetings involving both main US political parties.

The 50-minute meeting took place on Tuesday evening ahead of Trump’s State Visit to the UK next week.

Swinney confirmed to the President that he would attend the State Banquet at Windsor Palace.

The First Minister also raised the international situation, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Qatar during the meeting.

In a video posted to X, he confirmed he and Trump discussed whisky tariffs, in particular, the possibility of no tariffs on Scotch whisky.

Swinney said: “With the US state visit to the UK just days away, we are now entering the critical days on which hopes of a better tariff deal for Scotch whisky rest.

“Scotch whisky holds a unique position, as it can only legally be produced in Scotland. During my discussions with President Trump, I made the case to reduce the tariffs on the Scotch whisky industry – something the US industry supports.

“The United States is the largest market for Scotch whisky, but Scottish distillers also spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year buying Bourbon casks from Kentucky.

“The negotiations themselves are, of course, for the UK negotiating team but given whisky exports to the US were worth almost £1bn in 2024, its importance to the Scottish economy cannot be underestimated and I am determined to do all that I can to protect and safeguard this iconic Scottish product.”

Prior to the meeting at the White House, the First Minister met representatives and member companies of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (Discus) and the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) at Mount Vernon, the home of US founding father George Washington and the site of a whisky distillery he opened in 1798 which was operated by his Scottish farm hand, James Anderson.