North MP Danny Alexander felt at home when he arrived in the US for a trade visit – talking about whisky and shortbread.
The chief secretary to the Treasury was holding meetings in New York with representatives from Moray-based Walkers Shortbread, Scotland’s largest food exporter.
Mr Alexander, Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, was also due to visit Washington DC during the three-day trip, where he will hold talks with key figures from spirits giant Diageo, among other investors.
Speaking in New York, he said: “I am delighted to see first-hand so many British companies successfully trading out here and giving American consumers more choice in everything from shortbread to whisky.
“The support of the UK Government on trade exports is helping these Scottish products to thrive here in the US.
“Deepening the trade bonds between the US and UK is in the interests of both countries and will mean more jobs and growth for all.”
The economic ties between the UK and the US are estimated to be worth £600billion.
