Press & Policy

*Article originally published in the Scotsman on 3^rd May 2026

It is important in any friendship to demonstrate support

At some point later this month, when the dust from the Holyrood election begins to settle, the next First Minister of Scotland will have to sit down at their desk and ponder what happens next.

Whichever party leader it is, they will have much to consider.

There will be the need to quickly get to grips with the electoral arithmetic of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament, including talks on any coalitions or alliances.

A new Cabinet and ministerial team must be assembled and attention turned to how a manifesto is delivered.

Then there are the innumerable ‘events’ that must be responded to, including those in Scotland’s under-pressure public services, amid a challenging fiscal outlook for the next parliament.

The First Minister’s in-tray will be overflowing, but the success of Scotland’s economy also depends on having a leader who can look beyond day-to-day dilemmas to a long-term strategy.

That is why my advice to our next FM would be this: get yourself on a flight across the Atlantic to the USA and do so quickly.

For the record, I do not doubt they would face criticism from some quarters for jetting off just a few weeks into the new job. But it is still the right thing to do.

I know from our third annual trade visit to New York last month that few partnerships matter more than the one we share with the United States. That strength sits at the heart of our chamber‑to‑chamber relationships between Scotland and the USA.

Our active partnership with the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce is already deepening business connections for Scottish companies through our trade missions, business visits and ongoing collaboration.

Today, the USA is Scotland’s largest export market, accounting for roughly 17 per cent of our international exports. From Scotch whisky and salmon, to our engineering expertise and financial services, Scottish goods are a part of everyday life across America.

At the same time, American businesses play a central role in Scotland’s economy. More than 650 US-owned firms operate across the country, employing around 115,000 people and generating a turnover of more than £38 billion. Decisions made every day, on both sides of the Atlantic, about where to trade, invest, and grow, are underpinned by the strength of that relationship.

While the next First Minister can be forgiven for having been distracted somewhat by an election campaign over the last few weeks, it should not have escaped their attention that Scotland has an enormous opportunity to strengthen transatlantic ties even further this summer.

As we all know, after an absence of nearly 30 years, Scotland is returning to the World Cup next month.

And Steve Clarke, his coaching staff and his 26-man squad will not be travelling alone.

Up to 30,000 supporters of the Tartan Army are packing their kilts and bagpipes as they prepare to descend on Boston, Miami and any other city that hosts Scotland’s matches.

Beyond the football and the partying, of course, this sets the stage for a summer-long showcase of Scotland’s ties to the United States.

This unmissable opportunity to cement existing economic bonds and forge new relationships is particularly timely, given the US will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4.

Throughout these last 250 years, Americans with Scottish ancestry have played a pivotal role in the emergence of the superpower – from founding fathers like Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, through past Presidents such as Andrew Jackson and Woodrow Wilson, to, notably, the current serving President, Donald Trump.

Of course, I know there are some who may wince at the idea of Scotland celebrating its ties with the USA. I understand this perspective, but I believe it is during times of strain in any relationship that it becomes even more important to ‘be there’, both in the sense of being there physically and also in terms of showing that your support for your friends is unwavering. I’m reminded of Adam Smith, and as we mark 250 years of The Wealth of Nations, his emphasis on sharing knowledge and insight continues to shape how we work.

Our friends, in this case, are the countless people and organisations on both sides of the Pond who rely on a thriving partnership between Scotland and the US.

The businesses, the universities, the distilleries, the tourist attractions, to name a few.

These partnerships must endure, whether or not we agree with the government of the day.

We have witnessed the importance of ‘being there’ in just the last few days, with the King and Queen’s four-day State Visit to the US to mark the 250th celebrations.

The very welcome news on Thursday evening that Scotch whisky tariffs would be removed following the visit provides a perfect example of what can be achieved.

Moments like the World Cup this summer can help to build on the benefits of such diplomacy in ways that policy alone cannot.

Americans will not forget those who stood with them during the difficult times. I also predict they will not forget the Tartan Army descending en masse.

There is an open goal for Scotland’s next First Minister to score a substantial victory for the nation and its economy during June and July. It must not be missed.

That’s why almost as soon as they have unpacked their belongings at Bute House, they should be packing a bag to head for the United States.

Charandeep Singh, Chief Executive at the Scottish Chambers of Commerce