Scotland’s economic future is increasingly global, and no partnership is more vital than the one we share with the United States.
As the dust settles on the pomp and ceremony of President Trump’s state visit, it’s worth reflecting on the vital importance of the United States and our strategic partnership.
Scottish and UK businesses were centre stage as the leader of our biggest trade partner outside the EU made his second visit in just two months. This followed First Minister John Swinney’s impactful trip to the White House, where he secured a direct meeting with President Trump to seek a lasting resolution to tariffs on Scotch whisky.
These opportunities for dialogue and for showcasing our world-leading products and services, underline the special relationship we enjoy with the US. Both engagements offered platforms to strengthen ties and seek solutions, helping Scotland grow its presence in the US export market and attract inward investment.
No doubt our global competitors looked on in envy.
We are allies united by a shared ambition to grow our economies, create jobs and prosperity. With President Trump’s personal and professional ties to Scotland, we certainly have friends in high places. It’s encouraging to see that recognised at Downing Street and Bute House, where both the Prime Minister and First Minister have wisely risen above political divisions.
And it’s the right approach. The US accounts for £3.1 billion of our exports and supports key sectors like life sciences, machinery, and chemicals, while over a quarter of Scottish exports come from whisky.
The Prime Minister and First Minister’s focus on solutions and deals with the US has been clear this past year, with both governments investing heavily in promoting Scotland internationally. The approach is paying off, though there’s more to do.
The announcement of a new UK-US tech partnership presents exciting opportunities to position Scotland and the UK as leaders in technological innovation. I’m especially pleased to see the deal includes a £1.5 billion investment from CoreWeave into DataVita’s Lanarkshire data centre, creating one of Europe’s largest, most efficient renewable-powered facilities.
Of course, this partnership doesn’t rest solely with our leaders – the business community plays a vital role. Scottish Chambers of Commerce has worked closely with both governments to help Scottish SMEs break into the US market and promote Scottish excellence.
Through our annual USA Business Visit, aligned with New York Tartan Week, we’re building and expanding our partnerships with the US Department of Commerce, US Chamber, and US Council for International Business. We’re committed to growing this relationship, with upcoming trade missions to Washington, New York, Florida, and Boston.
International trade is a pillar of Scotland’s economy, and we will always champion free trade and the ability of businesses to sell and import globally.
Our success abroad is powered not just by our companies, but our people. Scotland’s diaspora remains a powerful force in our global growth strategy, with leaders in academia, business, and science. From Nobel Prize-winning Professor David McMillan to Silicon Valley trailblazers like Duncan Logan, Scots continue to make waves in the USA, in keeping with our proud heritage of innovation.
As President Trump’s visits have shown, Scotland and the UK remain major players on the global stage. With the Autumn Budget approaching, we now look to our leaders at home to build on our strengths and support SMEs looking outward.
To drive investment into companies and communities, the UK Government must prioritise reducing the tax burden. This will be a key demand ahead of the Budget, alongside a renewed focus on connectivity. The recent approval of a new runway at Gatwick was a welcome step; to maintain momentum, we must continue opening the UK’s doors to the world via Heathrow expansion. Stimulating retail demand is critical, which is why we’d like to see the UK reinstate tax-free shopping for international visitors, in line with our European counterparts.
We are also urging the UK Government to do more to attract international talent. That means rethinking migration policy, especially vital for Scotland, which urgently needs access to labour. The current salary threshold for a UK Skilled Worker visa is £41,700, far above Scotland’s average salary of £31,200. For a country nearing full employment, this gap leaves many employers unable to fill vital roles.
Ambitious investments, as announced last week, will be transformative, but only if matched by the talent and workforce to deliver them. The government must review the threshold and re-consider the visa schemes to make sure they work for Scottish business, or else risk squandering Scotland’s potential.
To unlock our global potential, we must match our international ambition with bold domestic action by ensuring our businesses have the talent, infrastructure, and support they need to thrive on the world stage.
