First Minister John Swinney says Trump's tariff 'not good news'

First Minister John Swinney said the imposition of tariffs on UK trade is “not good news” for Scottish industries.

Swinney was challenged by opposition leaders to respond to US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said Scotland exports about £4bn worth of goods to the US every year, and he believes the latest 10% tariffs will cause “significant harm” to many Scottish industries across food and drink, textiles, engineering, and pharmaceuticals.

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The US president said his “liberation day” announcement was a “declaration of economic independence”.

In response, Swinney assured the nation that his SNP Government would continue to work with Westminster to protect the best interests of Scottish businesses.

“The imposition of tariffs is not good news,” the First Minister said.

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Reynolds cautioned members to ‘keep calm and remain clear-eyed’ on what is in the national interest.

“It will be damaging for economic activity not just in Scotland, but in the UK but across the world. There will also be negative implications for the population of the US with what was applied yesterday.

Swinney later told STV News that there was “no way of sugar-coating” the situation.

“The announcement by President Trump on tariffs is deeply damaging,” he said.

“Anyone who thinks we’ve got some relief because it’s only 10% is, I’m afraid, not facing the reality of what is a very significant economic obstacle that’s been put in the way of some of Scotland’s key industries.”

Swinney said his government will of course engage with the UK Gov who carry the responsibility for international trade, and “leave no stone unturned” to take forward the concerns of Scottish industries.