Trump Lifts Whisky Tariffs, Boosts Scotland's Scotch Industry

0:00On May 1st, President Donald Trump just announced he's lifting all tariffs and restrictions on whiskey imports to the US, a huge win for Scotland's. Scotch Industry. This comes after King Charles's estate visit, with Trump crediting the Royal Nudge and ties to Kentucky bourbon makers, since Scotch uses their casks. First Minister John Swinney says, Trump personally thanked him for pushing the deal during business last year, and a trip to the Oval Office. With the Scottish Parliament election just days away on May 7th, party leaders are scrambling to distilleries to claim the glory. Swinney hid Dean's Den in Stirlingshire, Labour's Anna Sarwar, went to Rosebank in Falkirk, and even Tory Russell Finley toasted at an Edinburgh bar. Swinney calls it his mission accomplished, boosting jobs and exports worth 933 million pounds to the US last year. Labour and Conservatives are firing back, accusing Swinney of hogging credit that belongs to UK government talks and relentless negotiations.

1:00Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander points to Westminster, opening doors worldwide, while Finley says, thank the King, not SNP Republicans. Swinney shrugs it off as election noise, but emits the Scotch Whiskey Association and others pitched in too. The industry is breathing easy after losing 4 million pounds a week in exports. Last year, Scotch hit 5.3 billion pounds total, with America as top market by value, despite volume dips. A record 4,320,981 voters are registered, so queues my format polls from 7am to 10pm on election day no ID needed. Parties keep pounding the trail, from Greens pushing childcare expansions to SSP dreaming of free transport and no council tax. This Whiskey boost lands right as Scotland picks its 129 MSPs, could sway votes in the heart of campaign season.