Space exploration and exports across the Atlantic were on the
agenda as the Secretary of State for Scotland welcomed Floridian
Governor Ron DeSantis to Edinburgh.
The Governor visited Scotland as part of a Select Florida trade
delegation to the UK. This summer's World Cup saw Scotland forge
links with the Sunshine State thanks to the Tartan Army adopting
Miami as their temporary home, and now those links are set to
grow as the Floridian delegation experienced the best Scotland
has to offer.
Florida, which has a GDP roughly equivalent to that of Spain, has
many opportunities for links with the Scottish economy - from
shared expertise in space exploration to financial services and
exporting goods.
Secretary of State for Scotland had the opportunity to
discuss the potential for economic growth and partnership between
Scotland and Florida at a reception at the Johnny Walker
Experience in Edinburgh this evening [22 July].
Secretary of State for Scotland said:
The friendship between Scotland and Florida was clear to see over
recent weeks when the Tartan Army was welcomed to Miami during
the World Cup. That connection can now continue to grow with the
endless opportunities for partnership.
From technology and tourism, to professional services and
produce, there is great potential for economic and skills growth
on both sides of the Atlantic. Discussing the shared interests
Scotland and Florida have with Governor DeSantis was a great
chance to cement the relationship with the US State.
The Select Florida delegation are getting the chance to
experience the best Scotland has to offer and I hope that's only
a taster of what could lie ahead for economic and cultural
partnerships between the two.
British exports to Florida reached $3billion in 2024, with
exports to the US expected to grow as tariffs on whisky are
reduced to zero, as announced by President Donald Trump in April
this year.
The UK's strong trading relationship with the USA is further
demonstrated by being the only country to have secured a 10%
tariff for autos within quota, saving hundreds of millions of
pounds on UK exports annually and protecting an industry with
hundreds of thousands of jobs, and to be the only country to
benefit from a preferential 25% tariff on core steel and
aluminium exports to the US.
