Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Scottish Goods: US Tariffs

Thursday 14 January 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK government is working to de-escalate the conflict and remove US tariffs affecting Scottish goods.
  • An early meeting with the new US trade representative Katherine Tai is planned to discuss a tariff-ending deal.
  • The BEIS fund will invest 10 million to support distilleries affected by the tariffs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

US tariffs have been imposed on Scotch whisky exports from Scotland, causing significant financial strain on the industry.

Question

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.

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about financial compensation for affected industries was not directly addressed

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Q2 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The US tariffs on Scotch whisky have caused significant damage to the industry, with export losses approaching £450 million.

Question

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?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about support from other UK Government Departments was not directly addressed

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Q3 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Economy Business & Trade
Context

US tariffs have caused financial strain on the textile and cashmere industry in John Lamont's constituency.

Question

Will the Government consider offering financial compensation to firms affected by US tariffs to protect local jobs and this industry?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about financial compensation was not directly addressed

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Q4 Gareth Thomas Labour (Co-op) Harrow West
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The Secretary of State has threatened to reimpose tariffs on the United States if the Airbus dispute is not settled.

Question

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?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about publishing legal advice was not directly addressed

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