Overview

• Scotland’s First Minister held a roughly 30-minute Oval Office meeting, saying he pressed for a zero‑for‑zero approach on spirits tariffs.
• Before the White House meeting, he convened with US and Scottish spirits leaders from Discus and the SWA at Mount Vernon to align positions.
• The tariff remains in force as Scottish officials seek to influence UK–US trade talks ahead of the president’s upcoming state visit to the UK.
• The Scotch Whisky Association argues the levy is suppressing exports by about £4 million weekly and deterring investment and growth.
• Scottish ministers highlight the sector’s economic importance and its links with US bourbon producers, including reliance on used bourbon barrels.