US President Donald Trump announced the lifting of tariffs on whisky imports from the United Kingdom, a gesture to King Charles III and Queen Camilla as they departed the US after a four-day state visit.

The royal visit was intended to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence and repair relations strained by European allies declining to join the US-Israel war against Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!" He highlighted the interdependence of the Scotch whisky and US bourbon industries, noting that most Scotch producers source their casks from the US.

The Scottish and UK governments had been lobbying the Trump administration to end tariffs on their largest market. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the US would grant "preferential duty access for whiskey produced in the United Kingdom," though it remained unclear whether tariffs would be eliminated or merely reduced.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Charles "sends his sincere gratitude" for the decision, adding that "His Majesty will be raising a dram to the President's thoughtfulness." Scottish First Minister John Swinney hailed the move as "tremendous news for Scotland," noting that "people's jobs were at stake" and thanking the king for his "key role."

UK Trade Minister Peter Kyle also welcomed the decision, stating: "This is great news for our Scotch whisky industry, which is worth almost £1bn in exports and supports thousands of jobs across the UK."

Source: www.dw.com