Trump tariffs would be damaging to key sectors of Scots economy, says Swinney

Scotland’s First Minister has said that tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump could be “very damaging to key sectors” of the country’s economy.

John Swinney told Holyrood that he would take “every step I possibly can”, including engaging with the American leader, to protect Scotland’s interests.

The SNP leader said he “hoped” tariffs would not be imposed on Scotland, which was previously hit with them in Mr Trump’s first term in office.

The First Minister made the statement to Parliament in response to a question from SNP MSP Christine Grahame, who asked Mr Swinney which parts of the economy would be most impacted by tariffs.

“I’m alert to the dangers of tariffs and the damage they can cause,” Mr Swinney said, before adding: “We do not believe tariffs are the answer.”

Ms Grahame said Mr Trump’s policies risked “wrecking not just the world economy but the Scottish economy, potentially”.

The US president had previously imposed a 25% tariff on Scottish whisky which, according to the Scotch Whisky Association, cost the industry more than £600 million over 18 months.

Mr Swinney said a repeat of those types of economic measures from Mr Trump would be “very damaging to key sectors of the Scottish economy”, the “strongest example” of which he said would be Scotch.

He added: “That’s why, although I understand entirely the fact that people will have very strong views of Donald Trump, as First Minister of Scotland it is my duty to ensure that I take every step I possibly can do to protect the economic and national interest of Scotland.

“That is why, should the situation arise, I will engage emphatically to protect the interest of Scotland and to engage with the president of the United States if it is necessary to do so.

“I hope we don’t end up in that situation because Scotland and the United States enjoy, and experience, a very strong and long-lasting relationship and I want that to continue to thrive in the years to come.”

Mr Trump won a convincing victory in November last year and was officially sworn in on Monday.

Tariffs were a key part of his campaign and he has pledged to impose them on countries around the world, including Canada, China and Mexico – the nation’s largest trading partners.

The Scottish and UK Governments hope Britain can avoid tariffs amid an already slow-growing economy.

On Wednesday, former Scottish secretary David Mundell said Trump’s “deep affection” for Scotland should be used to the country’s advantage.

The US president has strong links to Scotland, with his mother having been born on the Isle of Lewis and having golf resorts at Turnberry and Aberdeenshire.

Ian Murray, the Scottish Secretary, described Scotland as a “key marketplace” when it came to the US and said he was working to prevent tariffs on Scottish goods.

President Trump’s son, Eric, told the PA news agency in November that his father would visit Scotland this year for the opening of a new golf course at the Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire.