Scotch Whisky Tariffs Lifted by US, Welcomed by Scottish Government
The move also sees US bourbon and casks enter the UK tariff-free, hailed as a 'win on both sides of the Atlantic'.
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- The Scottish government welcomed the US lifting tariffs on Scotch whisky exports, a move reciprocated for US bourbon and casks entering the UK.
- This follows an agreement after a state visit, benefiting an industry that lost £150m due to previous levies.
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The US had previously imposed a 10% levy on Scotch whisky in April 2025, which was due to increase to 25% for single malts, costing the industry about £150m.
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.
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.
