Scottish Goods US Tariffs 2021-01-14
2021-01-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
US tariffs have been imposed on Scotch whisky exports from Scotland, causing significant financial strain on the industry.
What progress has been made on removing US tariffs on Scottish goods? I am concerned about the impact of these tariffs on the Scotch whisky and textile industries in my constituency. The tariffs are causing financial strain with export losses approaching £450 million for the Scotch whisky sector alone.
We have been working hard to de-escalate this conflict and get punitive tariffs removed on both sides of the Atlantic. I will seek an early meeting with the new US trade representative, Katherine Tai, to discuss a deal to end tariffs. The BEIS fund will invest £10 million to help distilleries go green.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about financial compensation for affected industries was not directly addressed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The US tariffs on Scotch whisky have caused significant damage to the industry, with export losses approaching £450 million.
Will she reassure me that as soon as possible after the new US Administration is in place, she will urgently pick up negotiations on a deal to end tariffs? Will she update the House, before that, on what support she requires from other UK Government Departments to ensure that a deal is agreed by the whole of the UK Government?
I agree about the urgency of ending this tariff dispute. I will seek an early meeting with the new US trade representative, Katherine Tai. This will be one of the items on my agenda. I am working closely with the new Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about support from other UK Government Departments was not directly addressed
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
US tariffs have caused financial strain on the textile and cashmere industry in John Lamont's constituency.
Will the Government consider offering financial compensation to firms affected by US tariffs to protect local jobs and this industry?
We are looking at supporting industry, including through the BEIS fund that will invest £10 million to help distilleries go green. No doubt the Treasury is also considering other affected industries.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about financial compensation was not directly addressed
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State has threatened to reimpose tariffs on the United States if the Airbus dispute is not settled.
Will she agree to publish the UK's legal advice or our exchange of letters with the World Trade Organisation to prove that she is not bluffing and that we genuinely have the authority to reimpose those tariffs if we need to do so?
We have the authority to impose those tariffs as a result of leaving the European Union. We are clear that we have these rights, but I go back to the point that if we had accepted Labour's advice to put additional tariffs on US products like sweet potatoes and nuts, we would likely face more tariffs.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about publishing legal advice was not directly addressed
Response accuracy