SCOTTISH First Minister John Swinney welcomed the lifting US tariffs on imports of Scottish whisky as a “significant benefit” today.

The 10 per cent levy began in April 2025 as part of a wave of tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, but after lobbying from UK and Scottish governments as well as US bourbon producers, who supply casks to Scottish distillers, it was agreed to lift the tax from Friday.

Welcoming the move, Mr Swinney told BBC Radio 4: “From today, there are no tariffs on Scotch whisky going to the United States, which is a significant benefit for the Scotch whisky industry.

“The industry was being harmed by the existence of tariffs from the United States.”

The Scotch Whisky Association’s Ian Duddy added: “As Scotch whisky’s most valuable global market, worth £933 million in 2025, the removal of tariffs provides greater confidence to invest, grow exports, and support jobs and communities across Scotland and the US.

“From Kentucky to Speyside, this will not only benefit the Scotch and US whisky sectors, but our wider supply chains of co-operages, farmers, hospitality and retail.”