Oral Answers to Questions

David Linden Excerpts

Thursday 25th February 2021 Commons Chamber

[John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk) (Con)]

What progress she has made on removing tariffs on Scottish goods exported to the US.

[David Linden (Glasgow East) (SNP)]

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.

[The Secretary of State for International Trade (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.

--- Later in debate ---

[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.

[David Linden]

Despite the pandemic, we have seen a rise in consumption of spirits in North America; this is taking account of the fact that there is a 25% tariff in place for Scotch whisky. There is a danger that some of the alternatives—for example, Canadian whisky or Irish whiskey—could move into that space, and that is damaging for all of us who support the Scotch whisky industry, so has the Prime Minister raised this with President Biden?

[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.