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DONALD TRUMP HAS said he will remove tariffs on Scottish whisky “in honour” of Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla, as their four-day state visit to the US drew to a close.
The US president cited the Scotch industry’s relationship with the American bourbon industry and the impact of the royals’ visit to the White House. Most Scotch producers source their casks from the US.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said: “In Honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful Country, I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whiskey having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important Industries within Scotland and Kentucky.
“People have wanted to do this for a long time, in that there had been great Inter-Country Trade, especially having to do with the Wooden Barrels used. The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!
“A wonderful Honor to have them both in the U.S.A,” he added.
The Scottish and UK governments had been lobbying the Republican to end the 10% tariffs on the industry, as the US is the single biggest market for Scotland’s whisky.
Without the intervention, the industry could have seen another 25% in the spring as Trump continues his tariff agenda.
His previous 25% Scotch tariff between 2019 and 2021 resulted in the sector losing more than £600 million (€692 million), or £1 million (€1.15 million) a day, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said.
The trade body estimates the current 10% tariffs are costing whisky firms £3 million (€3.4 million) in lost exports each week.
Last year, Scottish first minister John Swinney went to the White House to press the president following discussions during his visit to Scotland.
He has hailed the decision as “tremendous news for Scotland”.
“By meeting the president during his visit to Scotland and by going to Washington, to the Oval Office, we made Scotland’s case. We worked directly with the Scotch Whisky Association to get Scotland’s voice heard,” he said.
“And, we used every chance to drive our point home, not least the State Banquet hosted by His Majesty The King in London last September.”
Swinney said that “hard work” had “paid off” and expressed his thanks to the president “for listening and acting to lift the tariffs”.
He also said that Scotland was “grateful” to the King for the “key role he played in this tremendous success”.
Russell Findlay, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, accused Swinney’s party of being dishonest.
He said: “The King has secured an agreement from the US president to remove tariffs on Scotch whisky. John Swinney is trying to claim credit. Why are the SNP so dishonest?”
The SWA, the industry’s trade body, called the news “a significant boost for the Scotch Whisky industry in our most valuable export market”.
BREAKING: President Trump has announced he is removing tariffs on #ScotchWhisky!
— Scotch Whisky Association (@ScotchWhiskySWA) April 30, 2026
Great news for the industry in our largest global market.
Read the full SWA statement 👉 https://t.co/egm8Jqx1F4 pic.twitter.com/D1evgmW7Rc
“We are hugely grateful for the sustained efforts on both sides of the Atlantic. For months, many have worked tirelessly to return zero-for-zero tariff trade for whisky and bourbon,” CEO Mark Kent said.
“The special relationship that the Scotch Whisky and American Whiskey industries share will be reinvigorated by this announcement. While challenges in our sector remain, we can now redouble our efforts to boost the benefits our two great industries bring to communities across Scotland and the US.”
Charles and Camilla earlier visited the White House for the final time to say goodbye to Trump and first lady Melania.
As they posed for a picture in front of the gathered media, Trump pointed at Charles and told the press: “He’s a great king. The greatest king in my book.”
During the photocall, reporters seized on a quiet moment to call out questions to British monarch who looked hesitant.
When one reporter asked “Your Majesty, what do you think of the Trump renaissance here in DC, all the improvements?” Charles smiled as he said “Ah, we’ll see.”
When the reporter asked what his favourite part of the visit was, Trump stepped in and said: “We’ll talk later.”
After spending around seven minutes inside, the Trumps and the royals said their goodbyes.
Charles and Camilla went on to a vigil to pay tribute to British and American soldiers when they visited Arlington National Cemetery in Washington.
Charles laid a wreath, while Camilla placed a posy at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the final resting place of an unnamed US war hero from the First World War.
With reporting from Press Association
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