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US lifts Scotch whisky tariffs after King's historic state visit

A royal visit seals the deal: Scotland's whisky makers celebrate as crippling US tariffs vanish. Will sales rebound after £4M weekly losses?

The image shows a bottle of Glen Scotia 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky and a glass of the same whisky...
The image shows a bottle of Glen Scotia 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky and a glass of the same whisky placed on a table. The bottle is a deep amber color and the glass is filled with the golden-brown liquid. The table is a light wood color and has a smooth surface.

US lifts Scotch whisky tariffs after King's historic state visit

Tariffs on Scotch whisky exports to the US have been lifted following the King’s state visit. The move comes after years of financial strain on Scotland’s whisky industry. Former US President Donald Trump confirmed the decision in a social media post dedicated to the monarch and Queen Camilla. The 10 per cent tariffs had cost Scottish distillers around £4 million each week in lost sales. Industry leaders, including Graeme Littlejohn of the Scotch Whisky Association, warned that the duties had led to job cuts and stalled investment. For years, producers pushed for the charges to be removed.

Trump announced the change on Truth Social, stating it was made 'in honour of the King and Queen'. Scotch whisky bosses had long campaigned for the tariffs to end, hoping for a swift resolution. The removal is now expected to revive exports and support growth in the sector.

The end of these tariffs arrives after prolonged pressure from Scotland’s whisky industry. Distillers anticipate a recovery in US sales, which had suffered under the financial burden. The decision follows diplomatic engagement tied to the royal visit.

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