The Scottish First Minister said he has put ‘significant effort’ into seeking an agreement to cut the US levies.

Scotland’s First Minister has said he is “waiting with expectation” for the UK Government to secure a deal to ensure Scotch whisky is exempt from US tariffs.

John Swinney has pushed for a deal which would cut the 10% levies on whisky entering America, and has met with US President Donald Trump four times this year.

The levies are said to be costing the industry around £4 million per week.

Speaking during First Minister’s Questions in Holyrood on Thursday, Mr Swinney stressed that trade deals cannot be negotiated by the Scottish Government and he is therefore waiting for the UK Government to deliver “the action that we all expect them to deliver”.

The issue was raised by SNP

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