THE Scottish Government has issued its readout of the meeting John Swinney held with US president Donald Trump.
The SNP leader attended the opening of the second golf course at Trump’s Menie estate in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday, taking the opportunity to raise the concerns of Scottish businesses.
A statement from the Scottish Government said that Swinney had urged the US president to consider economic protections for Scotland’s whisky and salmon sector, including an exemption for whisky from the 10% tariff applied on UK exports into the US.
The SNP leader also presented Trump with proposals – first floated by the Alba Party in late 2024 – to provide Edinburgh Airport with US customs pre-clearance facilities. Several Irish and Canadian cities have "pre-clearance" facilities on site, which allow passengers travelling to the US to go through customs and immigration before boarding the plane.
The First Minister said a Scottish version of the same would help “demonstrate the strength of America’s enduring relationship with its friend and partner, Scotland”.
The statement further said that the First Minister had been “unequivocal in demanding action to tackle the ‘unbearable, unjust and inhumane’ situation unfolding in Gaza, as he urged the president to use his immense influence to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis”.
Swinney also raised the issue of Ukraine, calling on Trump to “stand firm in defence of democracy and peace against Russian aggression”.
Speaking after the meeting, Swinney said: “During our discussions, I was able to represent the interests and values of Scotland directly with the president, specifically, urging him to make the case for tariff exemptions for our world class whisky and salmon sector.
“I believe there is now a window of opportunity to make the case for whisky and at the invitation of the president, I intend to make further representation to him on this matter.
“I implored President Trump to use his immense influence on the Israeli government to end the unbearable, unjust, and inhumane situation unfolding in Gaza, and to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis we are witnessing.
“As a proud country that stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, I urged President Trump to help make those ideals – American ideals – a reality for the people of Ukraine.
“Scotland has consistently stood with the people of Ukraine in defence of freedom, peace and a just society, and we want to see a world where those principles apply to all.”
