First Minister John Swinney has held "constructive" talks with Donald Trump at the White House about tariffs on Scotch whisky.
Swinney is hoping persuade the US president to lower or even remove the current 10% tariff, arguing such a move would be a boost for distillers in both countries.
The BBC reports the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) estimates the tariffs represent a £4million hit to the industry each week, and suggest US distillers have their own concerns about the impact on their sales of bourbon barrels to Scotland.
Swinney's White House visit follows his initial meeting with Trump in Aberdeenshire in July, with the president set to return to the UK next week for a formal state visit.
Posting on social media, the first minister said he had met with representatives of the whisky trade in both Scotland and the US before holding the discussions with Trump.
He said: "We discussed how the zero for zero approach on tariffs would help the industry to flourish on both sides on the pond.
"I've now taken those arguments to the Oval office, to President Tump, and we had a constructive discussion about the reasons why Scotch whisky would benefit from no tariffs."
Swinney spoke with President Trump at the White House. Image: Scottish Government
Swinney, the BBC reports, went on: "When President Trump came to Scotland in July, we raised Scotch whisky with him and got it on the trade deal agenda.
"Now, with just over a week to go before the President makes a state visit to the UK, we have a critical chance to follow up and make the case for a better deal.
"Scotch whisky holds a unique position, as it can only legally be produced in Scotland.
"Scotch whisky and Kentucky bourbon have made common cause. This isn't a case of US business versus imports to the US. Both agree that they want no tariffs. That's a real strength."
The meeting between the leaders lasted close to an hour and was not solely limited to the whisky trade. The pair also discussed topics including Gaza and Israel's air strikes in Qatar.