Scotch and Irish whiskey receive US tariff threats

03 July, 2019

By Shay Waterworth

Scotch and Irish whiskey have been targeted by the US for potential new tariffs on imported goods.

The US has threatened to introduce tariffs on EU imports worth up to £3.2bn but no dates have been speculated thus far.

A representative of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “Exports of scotch whisky to the US have been zero tariff for 20 years, so it is disappointing that scotch whisky has been drawn into this dispute.

"The scotch whisky industry has consistently opposed the imposition of tariffs, which harms economies on both sides of the Atlantic which depend on trade for their continued prosperity.

"There is a close relationship between the US whiskies and scotch whisky, not least due to the use of bourbon casks for maturation which generates around £70m for the US economy each year.

"We continue to urge the UK government, the EU and the US government to resolve this situation."