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Whiskey talks with America are about “tough yards” rather than “outright photo opportunities”. Prime Minister Reprimanding First Minister John Swinney.
Mr Swinney has made a key part of his premiership in recent months by meeting with the President to broker a deal with the US to cut whiskey tariffs. donald trump In hopes of reducing the levy on several occasions this year.
Despite international trade being a reserved issue, the UK government led the First Minister’s participation in the negotiations.
talking to a group of scottish among journalists Downing Street On Monday, Mr. Prime Minister keir starmer Said: “Negotiations and getting the trade deals we want… are about tough negotiations and that is what we are doing.
“That is what we have delivered with respect to the India deal and, as you can imagine, we are continuing those negotiations and the hard yards with the US, particularly with respect to whiskey.”
He added: “It’s the distance that matters, building relationships, communicating and these things take time.
“They’re not a one-time opportunity to take a photo.”
The Prime Minister said both the Scottish and UK governments are “trying to achieve the same thing” on whisky.
“Finally, I went to Scotland two or three days after the election to say I want to work for Scotland above all else and so, we continue to have these talks and discussions with the US and we will continue to do so.”
The First Minister has met President Trump twice during his golf course visit in the summer, on a state visit in September and at a private event at the White House in Washington DC, each time raising the plight of the industry, which she claims is losing £4 million a week due to tariffs imposed by the US.
Speaking to the PA news agency earlier this month, the First Minister said she would like to engage in trade talks between the two sides.
“I am not aware of the trade talks,” he said ahead of the SNP conference in Aberdeen.
“I would like to be, because I think I’ve been really helpful in all of this.
“It was clear to me earlier this year that whiskey was not really included in the trade talks at all, it was not as a key negotiating priority for the UK Government.
“Well, I had to make sure, because it really matters to Scotland.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The First Minister is focused on securing a zero tariff deal for Scotch whisky, and she has raised the matter on a number of occasions with key decision makers, including the President of the United States.
“Further trade talks remain to be taken forward by the UK Government.”