Trump to lift some whisky tariffs after King's visit

Donald Trump has said he will remove some tariffs and restrictions on whisky imports in honour of King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to the US.

The US president said he would lift restrictions on Scotland's ability to work with the state of Kentucky on whisky and bourbon.

He said the visit of the King and Queen "got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking".

Industry representatives said distillers would be able to "breathe a little easier during a period of significant pressure on the sector".

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney called it "tremendous news for Scotland".

Swinney added: "Millions of pounds were being lost every month from the Scottish economy."

He said Scotland was grateful to the King for the key role he played.

In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump said the move was "in honour of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful country".

He said the tariffs and restrictions related to "Scotland's ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important industries within Scotland and Kentucky", and noted how the two areas were linked through the use of wooden barrels.

The main customer for Kentucky's used bourbon barrels is the Scotch industry, which has been importing around £200m-worth each year.

The president added: "The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!

"A wonderful honour to have them both in the USA."

The Scottish and UK governments had both lobbied for the current 10% tariff rate to be reduced or removed on the basis it would benefit both Scottish and US distillers.

Tariffs for exports to the USA, introduced under the Trump administration and adding 10% to importers' costs, hit sales in Scotland's whisky industry's biggest export market.

American tariffs on single malts, which were suspended four years ago, were on course to return this spring with a further 25% charge, unless a deal could be done with the Trump administration.

Single malts, which sell at premium prices, are a particularly important part of exports to the US.

Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said the deal was a "significant boost" for the industry in its most valuable export market.

"We are hugely grateful for the sustained efforts on both sides of the Atlantic," he said.

"For months, many have worked tirelessly to return zero-for-zero tariff trade for whisky and bourbon."

He added: "The special relationship that the Scotch Whisky and American Whiskey industries share will be reinvigorated by this announcement."

The UK government - which leads on trade negotiations - has been asked for comment.