First Minister John Swinney will meet US Ambassador Warren A Stephens today in what some will see as the latest attempt to upstage the Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander.
Mr Swinney will host the ambassador at Bute House for talks on whisky tariffs a day after the UK minister and Mr Stephens met for similar discussions.
It follows the First Minister’s meeting with Donald Trump in the White House when he pressed the US president to cut whisky levies.
That meeting drew criticism from Mr Alexander who accused Mr Swinney of trying to claim credit for encouraging the US to lower tariffs when talks had been underway for months with UK government officials.
Ahead of his meeting today, Mr Alexander delivered a subtle dig at the First Minister, saying: “Scotland’s interests are best served when the UK speaks with one clear voice on the international stage. Division at home simply weakens us abroad.
“The UK Government is committed to using our experience, expertise and negotiating power to deliver for Scotland.”
Today the First Minister will again set out the case for a better deal for the Scotch whisky industry, as part of the wider UK-USA trade negotiations.
The United States is Scotland’s largest export market for whisky and is worth more than a billion pounds each year. The Scotch Whisky Association has said that a 10% tariff is costing the sector almost £20 million a month in lost exports.
The First Minister will also reaffirm Scotland’s long standing economic and cultural ties with the United States as well as the Scottish Government’s support for a just transition for the oil and gas sector.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the First Minister said: “I have been clear about the importance of building a constructive relationship with the United States to promote the economic interests of Scotland.
“The United States is a priority trade partner and both Scotland’s largest inward investor and largest export market, so it is critical we continue building on these ties to seize future opportunities.
“As part of my discussions with the US Ambassador, I will continue to make the case for our whisky industry and the mutually beneficial deal that is on the table.
“This follows my earlier discussions with President Trump about the tariffs impacting Scotch whisky and the symbiotic partnership which exists between the Scotch and US whisky industries.
“It is in the economic interest of both our countries to reduce tariffs for Scotch whisky.”
Comment: Swinney re-arms in war of independence
source