Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the Government’s strategy is on ensuring that a 25 per cent tariff on Scotch whisky entering the USA does not take 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.