WIREDGOV

Speaking in response to the USTR announcement on tariffs, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said:

In Washington DC last week I met my opposite number Bob Lighthizer, the US Trade Representative, to warn against new tariffs being imposed on great British products like gin and blended whisky. I am pleased that the US has not applied these additional tariffs, and welcome the decision to lift tariffs on shortbread.

However, the announcement does not address tariffs that already exist on goods like single malt Scotch whisky. These tariffs damage industry and livelihoods on both sides of the Atlantic and are in nobody’s interests. I am therefore stepping up talks with the US to remove them as soon as possible.

Further information:

• Liz Truss flew the US last week and had a series of key meetings with the United States Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, and other key members of the US Administration and Congress (spanning 2 - 4 August) to step up free trade agreement talks and protest against tariffs on critical British industry.
• Therefore it is welcome that the US has lifted tariffs on shortbread and decided not to impose additional tariffs on key UK products such as gin and blended whisky, but the continuation of any tariffs on unrelated British industries is completely unnecessary and harms industry on both sides of the Atlantic.
• Liz Truss will now be taking forward further talks with USTR Lighthizer.