John Swinney is planning a taxpayer-funded jolly to the US just weeks after "antagonising" Donald Trump. The First Minister will jet out to New York for the annual Tartan Week celebrations where he aims to boost business links between Scotland and the US.
It comes just weeks after the SNP leader called for President Trump's invitation of a second state visit to be scrapped due to his remarkable on-air bust up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It led to claims Trump was not a reliable ally for Europe with Mr Swinney saying it was "simply unimaginable" for the President to be welcomed by the monarch.
Tensions have eased slightly since that explosive meeting between President Trump and President Zelensky and Mr Swinney was happy to meet Eric Trump to discuss the family's business interests in Scotland. News that Mr Swinney will travel to the US has prompted calls for him to withdraw his opposition to the state visit.
Scottish Conservative business spokesman Murdo Fraser said: "If John Swinney really wants to help iconic Scottish exports flourish in the US market, the best thing he could do is withdraw his foolish call for the President’s State visit to be cancelled. Rather than antagonising President Trump by grandstanding on issues beyond his remit, the First Minister should be serving the best interests of Scottish businesses."
The First Minister is expected to meet a number of current and potential investors to promote the economic opportunities on offer in Scotland. The Tartan Week celebration of Scottish arts and culture emerged after the US Senate officially declared April 6 Tartan Day in 1998, to honour the contributions that American Scots have made to the US.
Exports of Scottish goods to the US were worth £4 billion in 2023 with more than 700 American enterprises employing around 115,000 people in Scotland. Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Swinney said: "Scotland is open for business and is one of the best places in the world to invest.
“We have a reputation as a world-class entrepreneurial nation, with the number of start-ups, spinouts, and scale-up companies growing at pace. We also have the potential to become a strategic hub for future renewable energy investments, specifically by developing and scaling projects in offshore wind, green hydrogen, and energy storage.
“Tartan Week in April is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Scottish culture and promote economic opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic. I am looking forward to attending this week’s Tartan Week events, meeting our dynamic diaspora, and engaging with some of our biggest current and potential investors."
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