UK-US Trade Understanding – Whisky & Spirits
GMB Says Five-Year Suspension Of US Tariff War On Whisky “Welcome, But Not Before Time”
Responding to this morning’s (Thursday 17 June) announcement by the UK Government of a five-year arrangement which will maintain the suspension of harmful retaliatory tariffs on Scotland’s whisky and spirits sector, GMB Scotland Organiser Keir Greenaway said:
“This arrangement is welcome, but it’s not before time.
“After a long and damaging tariffs war on single malt exports, it should offer greater stability for Scotland’s whisky and spirits sector in the US market, which in turn should be better for the job security of the industry’s workers.
“But this can’t mean political leaders taking their foot off the gas. Whisky and spirits manufacturing is the jewel in the crown of our world-class food and drink sector, supporting tens of thousands of jobs across the country – it will be a pillar of our economic recovery.
“We need a new era of political and industrial collaboration to pave the way for the continued prosperity of the whisky and spirits sector, and to defend its interests in future trade reform.
“Learn the lessons of the last eighteen months. The Prime Minister turning up for a dram and a photo-op before heading back to London isn’t good enough. The voices of the industry’s workers must be heard and their concerns understood.”
ENDS
Contact: GMB Scotland Organiser Keir Greenaway on 07855 017842 or GMB Scotland Communications on 07976 447077.
Notes to Editors:
“Joint US-UK statement on a cooperative framework for Large Civil Aircraft”, Department for International Trade, Thursday 17 June 2021, access at:
