Swinney's Claim Met with Derision

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney is facing widespread criticism after attempting to take credit for the lifting of US tariffs on Scotch whisky. The Scottish National Party (SNP) claimed Swinney “delivered” for Scotland following the announcement of the tariff removal.

Trump Credits Royal Intervention

However, former US President Donald Trump directly credited King Charles and Queen Camilla for the decision. He stated they achieved the removal of the 10 percent tariffs “without hardly even asking!” during their recent state visit to the United States. Trump announced the action was taken “in honour” of the royal couple.

Immediate and Widespread Backlash

The response to Swinney and the SNP’s claim was swift and negative. Political opponents mocked the attempt to claim responsibility, drawing comparisons to unrelated achievements. Former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson sarcastically commented on Swinney’s alleged accomplishments.

Social Media and Government Criticism

A ‘community note’ on X (formerly Twitter) corrected an SNP post, stating that neither Swinney nor the SNP negotiated the deal; it was the King. Douglas Alexander, the Scotland Secretary, accused Swinney of being “caught red-handed” and “doubling down” on a false claim, highlighting the UK Government’s previous work on the issue.

History of Advocacy and Industry Impact

Swinney had previously traveled to Washington DC to advocate for the removal of the tariffs during talks with Trump. The tariffs had cost the Scotch whisky sector approximately £4 million per week, totaling £150 million over the past year.

Royal Influence and Industry Response

Graeme Littlejohn of the Scotch Whisky Association emphasized the “soft power” of the monarch and his passion for the industry. He acknowledged months of negotiation and described the King as providing “the royal sparkle” to finalize the deal. Buckingham Palace released a statement expressing the King’s gratitude for the decision’s positive impact on the British whisky industry.

SNP and the Monarchy

Despite the SNP’s long-term goal of Scottish independence, the party has stated that King Charles would remain as Scotland’s head of state even if independence were achieved. This incident has become a significant point of contention leading up to upcoming elections.