The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) on Thursday night welcomed the news that US President Trump has apparently announced the removal of tariffs on Scotch Whisky in the United States,.

Scotch Whisky Association CEO Mark Kent said: “This deal is a significant boost for the Scotch Whisky industry in our most valuable export market. Distillers can breathe a little easier during a period of significant pressure on the sector.

“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. 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.”

Scotch Whisky exports were valued at £5.36 billion in 2025. Scotch accounts for 22% of the UK’s total food and drink exports. About 41,000 jobs are supported by the whisky industry in Scotland alone, with a further tens of thousands across the supply chain.

President Trump said on Truth Social: “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 (sic) 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.”