Donald Trump’s officials are considering easing tariffs on Scotch whisky, according to a recent report.
Bloomberg has reported the US president’s administration is contemplating the move following Prime Minister Keir Starmer raising the issue with Mr Trump at last month’s state visit.
UK officials and the Scottish Government have been attempting to strike a better deal for whisky in recent visits involving the US president.
Last month, John Swinney also met with President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for a 50-minute meeting in the Oval Office during which it is understood Mr Swinney urged Mr Trump to reduce the current 10% tariff the US places on scotch whisky.
Following his visit, Mr Swinney told journalists there was a “real chance” of a deal.
The First Minister also raised the issue with the US president earlier during a trip to his golf course in Scotland in July.
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Crediting the Scotch Whisky Association for "securing a better deal", John Swinney said this was "encouraging news for Scotch Whisky, for our economy, and for Scotland."
He added on X: "Glad to see things may be moving in the right direction - great work from the Scotch Whisky Association on securing a better deal for this vital industry."
According to the Scottish Whisky Association (SWA), the US is their largest and most valuable market worth £978 million in 2023 and accounts for 17% of their total global exports by value.
The UK industry says the current duty costs it around £20 million per month in lost exports.
The move is being framed by UK trade officials as mutually beneficial: around 60% of Scotch whisky is aged in bourbon barrels imported from Kentucky, representing a $300 million trade annually, meaning that lowering US tariffs on Scotch could indirectly support American bourbon producers, sources familiar with the talks told Bloomberg.
A UK Government spokesperson said: "Scotch whisky already enjoys preferential access to the US market compared with other major economies and we will continue to work to ensure this deal protects British jobs and puts money in people's pockets.
"We have already secured a historic £150bn of inward investment from US companies, creating thousands of jobs across the UK as part of our Plan for Change."
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
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