Trade & International Business

Scotch whisky levy lifted as Trump imposes new wave of US tariffs

The Scottish government welcomed the lifting of the 10% levy, which the US President agreed after the state visit of King Charles.

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July 24, 2026
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Scotch whisky levy lifted as Trump imposes new wave of US tariffs

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Published2 hours ago

The Scottish government has welcomed the lifting of tariffs on Scotch whisky exports to the United States.

The move comes as President Donald Trump hit hundreds of international trading partners with a new wave of levies.

The deal will also see US bourbon and casks arriving in the UK tariff-free. Scotland’s first minister John Swinney said it was a “win on both sides of the Atlantic”.

Trump agreed that he would lift the tariffs after King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the US in April.

The US had originally imposed a 10% levy on Scotch whisky in April 2025. This had been due to increase earlier this year to 25% for single malts.

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Scotland exports more whisky to the US than any other country.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said it had cost the industry about £150m, with the US market worth about £933m in 2025.

Emily Weaver Rhodes, SWA deputy director, told BBC Radio Scotland that the removal of tariffs showed the positive relationship between the US and UK.

She said: “There are really strong grounds and good evidence for why this is important not just for the UK, but for the US economy and that is delivering on the president’s ambition to create jobs.

“I think on both sides of the Atlantic we are raising a dram to celebrate.”

The deal will also see Kentucky bourbon barrels – which are used to age Scotch whisky – come to the UK without tariffs.

First Minister John Swinney said: “This a win for Scotland and a win for the United States.”

“It benefits businesses and workers on both sides of the Atlantic, and not just among whisky producers, but also the businesses and communities that support the sector across Scotland.”

Trump’s announcement in April that he would drop whisky tariffs had sparked a row over who was able to claim credit for changing his mind.

Swinney said he had raised the issue with President Trump during a previous meeting in the Oval Office.

But political opponents accused him of taking credit for the deal over King Charles.

The first minister said it had come courtesy of the “remarkable contribution of the King” and a “Team Scotland” approach.

He added: “We were able to partner with the bourbon industry in the United States, raise the issue with President Trump in the Oval Office, and get this issue on his agenda.”