Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions her Department had by telephone with representatives of the US administration between 7 and 14 October 2019 on the imposition of tariffs on malt Scotch whisky.

As a priority, we are continuing to engage with the US at all levels to protect and promote UK industry. Specifically, we are working closely with the US make the case that tariffs are not in the interest of the UK, EU or US. My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade has recently spoken to US Trade Representative Lighthizer. My Rt Hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has raised this urgent matter with US Secretary of State Pompeo and the Prime Minister urged President Trump directly to reconsider the announced tariffs. I have also personally had a call with US Ambassador Johnson on this issue. We will continue to work with the UK, EU and US and support the case for de-escalation and a negotiated settlement.