Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has been widely mocked for attempting to take credit for the removal of US tariffs on Scotch whisky. The actual credit for the decision has been given to King Charles III and Queen Camilla by former US President Donald Trump.

Tariff Removal and Initial Claims

Swinney, the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), initially expressed delight at the lifting of the 10% tariffs imposed by the US. The SNP presented this as evidence of Swinney’s successful advocacy for Scotland.

Trump's Intervention

However, these claims were quickly challenged when Donald Trump publicly credited the royal couple for the decision. He stated in a social media post that he acted in honor of Charles and Camilla following their state visit to the US. Trump wrote: “The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!”

Political Backlash and Mockery

This revelation sparked a wave of mockery directed at Swinney and the SNP. Political rivals suggested Swinney was also claiming credit for events like the moon landings and Scotland’s World Cup qualification.

Sarcastic Remarks

Ruth Davidson, former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, sarcastically remarked that Swinney’s accomplishments were “truly remarkable,” including masterminding the D-Day landings and discovering Saturn’s rings. A community note on social media further clarified that neither Swinney nor the SNP negotiated the deal, but rather the King played a pivotal role.

Defense and Counter-Accusations

Despite the backlash, Swinney defended his position. However, his efforts were undermined by Douglas Alexander, a former UK Scotland Secretary, who accused the First Minister of “doubling down” on a false claim.

UK Government Involvement

Alexander emphasized that the UK Government had been working on the whisky deal before, during, and after Swinney’s visit to Washington DC, highlighting inaccuracies in the SNP’s narrative.

Impact on the Scotch Whisky Industry

The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of significant financial losses for the Scotch whisky industry due to the tariffs. Graeme Littlejohn of the Scotch Whisky Association noted the tariffs cost the sector around £4 million per week.

Financial Losses and Royal Influence

The total loss over the past year was estimated at £150 million. While acknowledging the King’s role as a “royal sparkle” in the final stages, Littlejohn emphasized the agreement was the result of months of negotiations. Buckingham Palace also expressed gratitude for Trump’s decision, stating it would substantially benefit the British whisky industry.

SNP's Stance on the Monarchy

Despite the SNP’s separatist agenda, the party has maintained that the King would remain as Scotland’s head of state. This episode has highlighted political tensions and the complex dynamics of international trade negotiations and the influence of the monarchy.