King Charles Influenced Trump's Decision to Drop Scotch Whisky Tariffs, FM's Notes Reveal
Notes from Scottish First Minister John Swinney indicate Donald Trump credited King Charles with a role in reversing a 10% tariff.
Donald Trump credited King Charles with influencing his decision to lift tariffs on Scotch whisky, according to notes taken by Scottish First Minister John Swinney. The former U.S. President made the remarks during a phone call with Swinney on May 1, shortly before the Scottish Parliament election.
Swinney's notes, released by the Scottish Government in response to a freedom of information request, detail an eight-minute call received on Trump's personal mobile. In the summary, Swinney wrote that Trump "expressed his appreciation for the involvement of HM King and spoke of how successful the State Visit to the United States had been," indicating that the King played a part in changing his mind on the tariffs.
The 10% tariff, imposed on Scotch whisky exports to the U.S., was reportedly costing the industry approximately £4 million per week. Trump's decision to remove the tariff was announced days before the election.
At the time of the tariff removal announcement, Swinney's team had released a message attributed to Trump stating that the First Minister was "a very big part of my thinking on the matter of Scotland/Kentucky." However, Swinney's own notes now suggest a different emphasis, with Trump singling out the King's involvement.
Rachael Hamilton, Scottish Conservative business spokesman, criticized Swinney, stating, "This full account of John Swinney’s call with President Trump exposes how he shamelessly tried to take credit for the removal of tariffs on whisky products." Hamilton added, "It is clear that King Charles’ soft but brilliant diplomacy during his state visit to the United States was what forced the President’s hand, instead of any lobbying by Swinney."
When the tariff removal was announced, the Scotch Whisky Association commented that King Charles' state visit to the U.S. from April 27-30 served as "a demonstration of the soft power of the monarch and what he can bring to the United Kingdom and some of our key industries like Scotch whisky."