Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Scottish Exports to US: Tariffs

Thursday 25 February 2021 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Scottish exports of Scotch whisky face US tariffs
  • Government working to de-escalate tariff conflicts
  • Prime Minister and Minister are actively seeking tariff removal

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Linden SNP
Business & Trade
Context

Scotch whisky exporters face a significant barrier in the form of US tariffs, impacting trade and revenue. The questioner seeks concrete steps to address this issue.

Question

What steps she is taking to seek a reduction on the US tariffs applied on the export of Scotch whisky from the UK to the US?

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. This is the way forward, not escalating the tariff battle.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or timelines for reducing US tariffs were not provided

How: De-Escalate This Conflict, Not Escalating The Tariff Battle

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Q2 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Business & Trade
Context

Previous successes in breaking down trade barriers for Scottish goods such as Scotch beef have inspired hope for similar progress regarding US tariffs on Scotch whisky.

Question

Does the Secretary of State envisage similar success in removing US tariffs to help cashmere mills in the Scottish borders and Scotch whisky distillers to export to American customers?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

My hon. Friend has been a huge champion for Scottish goods such as cashmere and whisky. These tariffs are damaging on both sides of the Atlantic. Today, we are seeing the confirmation hearing of the new US trade representative, and as soon as that is finished I will be on the phone to her seeking an early resolution of these issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or commitments for removing tariffs were not provided

How: Huge Champion, Damaging On Both Sides

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Q3 David Linden SNP
Business & Trade
Context

Despite the pandemic, there has been a rise in consumption of spirits in North America, but Scotch whisky exporters face a significant 25% tariff.

Question

There is a danger that some alternatives could move into the space left by Scotch whisky due to tariffs. Has the Prime Minister raised this with President Biden?

Answer from Elizabeth Truss

I can assure the hon. Member that the Prime Minister is exercised about this issue, as am I, and we are working flat out to get an agreement to make sure that these tariffs are removed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete actions or timelines for removing tariffs were not provided

How: Working Flat Out

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