As he controversially jetted off to New York for this weekend’s Tartan Week celebrations his big pitch was that he would work tirelessly to promote Scotland and the nation’s businesses.
Yet the First Minister will today enjoy a pitch of a different kind as he spends a big part of the Tartan Day celebrations… at a top BASEBALL match.
Mr Swinney left Scotland last week for the Tartan Week celebrations with claims from opponents that his trip across the pond was a ‘jolly’ wrapped up in stars and stripes.
However, he told critics he would be exploring “shared economic opportunities and maintaining Scotland’s continuing influence on the world stage.”
But Mr Swinney will tonight (SUN) be occupying the finest seats at the Citifield Stadium in New York……watching the New York Mets taking on the Toronto Blue Jays.
Last week, the leader of Scotland’s Liberal Democrats, Alex Cole-Hamilton, voiced his suspicions that there may be a significant ‘leisure’ element to this trip.
Mr Cole-Hamilton said before the latest junket: ‘In the middle of a trade crisis, taxpayer funded flights and overseas government missions should be being used to deliver for those Scottish businesses under threat of tariffs.
‘Instead it seems like John is on a jolly.’
After Scottish Government officials yesterday confirmed that Mr Swinney will be taking in tonight’s baseball match, the Lib Dem leader said he believed his fears had been vindicated.
He said: ‘Scottish exporters may be sweating over the introduction of Trump’s tariffs but John Swinney seems to be having a jolly old time.
‘He should be using this trip to play hardball and pitch the case for Scottish business to anyone who will listen.
‘Instead the only pitching going on seems to be on the baseball field. Perhaps he’s struck out already.’
Following the Tartan Day Parade through the streets of New York yesterday, Mr Swinney will arrive at the Citifield Stadium to present Mets’ team mascots with kilts and sashes on the pitch. It is the third day of the weekend promotional event.
Mr Swinney has form for squeezing major international sporting events into his political schedule.
Last summer, for example, taxpayers were hit with a £24,000 bill after he and two other SNP ministers – plus 12 officials- found time to attend Euro 2024 football matches in Germany.
Mr Swinney’s visit comes at a time of international trade turmoil after US President Donald Trump slapped the UK with a minimum 10% tariff on exports to the US on Wednesday night.
The First Minister has strongly condemned these tariffs as “damaging” for Scotland, and it has cast a cloud over the event.
However, Swinney has indicated that he will focus on what he originally set out to do: drum up investment for Scotland and advertise it as a “world-class place to do business”.
Officials confirmed Mr Swinney will take in ‘some’ of tonight’s game.
Mr Swinney said: ‘I am particularly looking forward to bringing Scottish culture to America’s favourite pastime when I take part in celebrations at the home of the New York Mets early in the new baseball season.’
With a nod to improving the Scottish economy in such difficult circumstances, Mr Swinney will be hosting a dinner with members of the GlobalScot business community and those working to promote US investment in Scotland.
Speaking ahead of his engagements, the First Minister said: ‘Scotland has long-standing and extensive ties with the United States and Canada, ties that I am working hard to strengthen during my Tartan Week trip to New York.
‘There will be significant benefits if we make the most of our existing connections with valued international partners to secure new opportunities.’
At Citifield, the Mets’ catering team has also been exploring new food and beverage opportunities for hungry fans.
The ground in the New York borough of Queens has been voted America’s favourite baseball stadium for food by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers Choice.