US President Donald Trump announced sweeping global import duties, including a 10 per cent levy on all UK goods and a steeper 20 per cent rate for imports from the European Union, taking effect on 5 April.
The move, one of the most aggressive protectionist measures in recent years, has sparked concern across multiple sectors, including scotch whisky producers. Spokesperson for the scotch whisky association (SWA) expressed disappointment over the potential impact on the industry.
“The industry is disappointed that Scotch whisky could be impacted by these tariffs. We welcome the intensive efforts by the UK government to reach a deal with the US administration, and we continue to support this measured and pragmatic approach towards a mutually beneficial resolution,” the spokesperson said.
The SWA represents over 90 companies in the Scotch whisky sector, from global spirits producers to family-owned distilleries, covering the majority of Scotch whisky production. The industry has long relied on international markets, with the US being a key destination for exports.
The UK government has been in talks with Washington in a bid to mitigate the full impact of the tariffs. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has reassured industries that ministers remain “fully focused” on securing a deal to protect British trade.
“We have a range of tools at our disposal and we will not hesitate to act,” Reynolds said.
He also said that the government is determined to maintain a “balanced trading relationship” with the US.
A Downing Street source has suggested that the UK’s relatively lower tariff rate compared to the EU’s is a sign that negotiations have made progress. “The difference between 10% and 20% is thousands of jobs,” they said.
Despite the ongoing discussions, Trump’s tariffs signal a shift towards tougher trade policies, with Washington targeting countries it sees as trade violators. Nations such as China, India, Japan, and those within the EU are set to face even steeper levies under the new regime.
The move, one of the most aggressive protectionist measures in recent years, has sparked concern across multiple sectors, including scotch whisky producers. Spokesperson for the scotch whisky association (SWA) expressed disappointment over the potential impact on the industry.
“The industry is disappointed that Scotch whisky could be impacted by these tariffs. We welcome the intensive efforts by the UK government to reach a deal with the US administration, and we continue to support this measured and pragmatic approach towards a mutually beneficial resolution,” the spokesperson said.
"We welcome the intensive efforts by the UK government to reach a deal with the US administration, and we continue to support this measured and pragmatic approach towards a mutually beneficial resolution."
— Scotch Whisky Association (@ScotchWhiskySWA) April 2, 2025
Our statement on UK-US trade: https://t.co/eHDenZXGfq pic.twitter.com/DDhuSwj3jU
The SWA represents over 90 companies in the Scotch whisky sector, from global spirits producers to family-owned distilleries, covering the majority of Scotch whisky production. The industry has long relied on international markets, with the US being a key destination for exports.
The UK government has been in talks with Washington in a bid to mitigate the full impact of the tariffs. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has reassured industries that ministers remain “fully focused” on securing a deal to protect British trade.
“We have a range of tools at our disposal and we will not hesitate to act,” Reynolds said.
He also said that the government is determined to maintain a “balanced trading relationship” with the US.
A Downing Street source has suggested that the UK’s relatively lower tariff rate compared to the EU’s is a sign that negotiations have made progress. “The difference between 10% and 20% is thousands of jobs,” they said.
Despite the ongoing discussions, Trump’s tariffs signal a shift towards tougher trade policies, with Washington targeting countries it sees as trade violators. Nations such as China, India, Japan, and those within the EU are set to face even steeper levies under the new regime.
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