Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on ensuring that the Scotch whisky industry is supported by measures in the next Budget in the event that a 25 per cent tariff on malt Scotch whisky entering the USA takes effect on 18 October 2019.

We are clear that the best outcome to this dispute is to seek a negotiated settlement in partnership with the EU and the US that would prevent these tariffs coming into force. This has been raised by the Prime Minister in a call with President Trump and by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade with US Trade Representative Lighthizer. I have also personally had a call with US Ambassador Johnson on this issue. We will continue to work closely with the EU and the US on a settlement and to seek confirmation from the WTO of our compliance and that the UK and the EU should therefore not be subject to tariffs.