John Swinney has been using Scotland's "soft power" in an impressive way to secure a better trade deal on Scotch whisky with the United States, according to SNP MP Stephen Gethins. The Scotland's First Minister met Donald Trump in the White House earlier in September to discuss concerns about tariffs affecting the whisky sector.
Gethins described Trump as a "very transactional President" and said it was crucial that Swinney was able to meet with him in person. The talks focused on the 10% tariffs currently levied on whisky exported from Scotland to the US.
Impact on whisky industry
The Scotch Whisky Association has said that the tariffs are costing the industry around £4 million a week. Gethins, who represents Arbroath and Broughty Ferry and has whisky distilleries in his constituency, said workers in affected industries would expect their First Minister to make the case for their jobs directly.
Speaking on The Sunday Show on BBC Scotland, Gethins praised Swinney's efforts, noting he had worked "without the weight of a Foreign Office behind him". The MP said Swinney had used his office to make the case directly, impressing people across the political spectrum.
Call for broader action
However, Gethins said more than individual efforts are needed and called on the UK Government to do more to push for a trade deal. He emphasised that the Foreign Office will need to push for securing a better deal on whisky tariffs.
The meetings between Swinney and Trump have included encounters in Aberdeenshire and the US, as well as the First Minister's attendance at a state banquet for the US president in London this week. The UK Government has been asked for comment.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
