Whisky-a-go-go: UK in race to do ‘mini’ trade deal with outgoing Trump administration that could cut tariffs on transatlantic booze exports like quality single malts
- Trade representative Robert Lighthizer suggested tariffs could be reduced
- A 25% levy on top-class single malts was introduced in trade war with EU
- It clashed with Trump over state aid for aerospace manufacturer Airbus
Donald Trump’s trade chief has said that the outgoing US administration is negotiating with the UK to secure a mini-deal reducing trade tariffs before Joe Biden takes power.
Trade representative Robert Lighthizer suggested tariffs on single malt Scotch whisky could be reduced if a post-Brexit pact is successful.
The Government hopes to broker a full free trade agreement with Mr Trump’s successor as president but a mini-deal could ease trade before then.
There were hopes earlier this year that a deal could be completed by the time November’s election took place, but those plans were killed off by coronavirus.
Talks on an interim deal emerged on Thursday after the UK dropped tariffs against the States over subsidies for aerospace firms.
Mr Lighthizer told the BBC: ‘I’m talking to (International Trade Secretary) Liz Truss about trying to work out some kind of a deal … I’m hopeful we can get some kind of an agreement out, you know, we don’t have a lot of time left.
‘We have the advantage in that both the US and the UK – particularly the current Government of the UK – are not big subsidisers, where some other countries are more inclined to subsidise. So it would be helpful if we could come to some kind of agreement.’
Scotch whisky was badly affected when Mr Trump’s White House hit the EU with tariffs on £5.6 billion worth of goods in retaliation for state support given to Airbus.
Donald Trump’s trade chief has said that the outgoing US administration is negotiating with Trade Secretary Liz Truss to secure a mini-deal reducing trade tariffs before Joe Biden takes power.
Mr Lighthizer told the BBC: ‘I’m talking to (International Trade Secretary) Liz Truss (both pictured above) about trying to work out some kind of a deal … I’m hopeful we can get some kind of an agreement out, you know, we don’t have a lot of time left.
Duties on top-quality single malt whiskies – which are made from a single batch of malted barley – remain in place
While planned levies on gin and blended scotch were never imposed, top-quality single malts are having 25 per cent import tariffs.
The EU responded with tariffs on £3 billion of US goods over subsidies given to Boeing but the UK will suspend those measures from January 1 after the post-Brexit transition period ends.
Ministers hope the move will help take the US towards a reasonable settlement over the Airbus-Boeing row and show that the UK is serious about reaching a negotiated outcome.
Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Karen Betts welcomed the talks on a mini-deal as ‘encouraging’.
‘These tariffs have done enormous damage to Scotch whisky over the last 14 months – with the industry losing over £400 million in exports, and counting,’ she said.
‘Time is of the essence – Ambassador Lighthizer was very clear about that in his interview.
‘The US and UK Governments must now work hard to find a final settlement to Airbus/Boeing and steel and aluminium disputes, and bring about the rapid return of tariff-free transatlantic trade in whiskies.’