John Swinney will visit Kentucky today to build on US president Donald Trump’s pledge to remove the 10% tariff on Scotch whisky.
After celebrating Scotland’s World Cup win against Haiti in Boston over the weekend Mr Swinney is heading west to continue his meetings with business leaders.
Scotland exports more whisky to the US than any other country, worth around £933 million, and Mr Trump was taken with Mr Swinney highlighting its relationship with the US bourbon sector.
Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Swinney said: “Scotch whisky and Kentucky bourbon share a deep, long-standing connection – they’re two of the world’s great spirits and of high value to their respective economies.
“Every year, millions of used bourbon barrels make their way from Kentucky to Scotland, where they’re used to age some of the world’s finest Scotch whiskies.
“The relationship between these two great spirits industries is genuinely symbiotic – each one helps make the other better.”
Mr Trump announced that tariffs would be removed from Scotch whisky imports just before the SNP won a fifth consecutive term in office.
He and Mr Swinney held talks on tariffs in the White House last year which the First Minister has referenced in claims that his personal intervention has been key to the lowering of tariffs.
During his visit to Kentucky, the First Minister will co-host a lunch with key representatives from the US spirits industry, visit Kentucky Cooperage and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel, and tour a distillery with members of the Congressional Bourbon Caucus.
On Friday he met Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, undertook a tour of Harvard University, and met business leaders.
Minister for Maree Todd is due to travel to Miami for Scotland’s final group match against Brazil next week. Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn and Community Care Minister Alison Thewliss are also both at the World Cup, but have been given special permission by Mr Swinney to attend in a personal capacity.
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