Ross presses PM on Scotch amid trade war

PRIME Minister Boris Johnson was pressed on possible tariffs the US could apply to Scotch Whisky during the first PMQs after the summer recess.

Moray Conservative MP Douglas Ross highlighted the importance of the whisky industry to Moray and urged the government to do everything possible to stop tariffs being applied as a trade war heats up between the European Union and the US.

The whisky industry could be caught in the crossfire of the trade war, which was triggered initially with a clash about aircraft subsidies.

There are fears that trade would suffer for local distilleries, which have benefited from duty-free access to the US and EU markets for decades.

The US has so far threatened to put tariffs on the cost of European cheese, meat, pasta and, most importantly for Moray, whisky.

Mr Ross said in the Commons: "The Scotch Whisky industry is hugely important in Moray and potential tariffs applied by the US as part of their trade war with the EU could cost hundreds or thousands of jobs across Scotland and the UK.

"What representations has the prime minister made to President Trump on this matter? And will his government do everything possible to avoid these tariffs being applied to the Scotch Whisky industry?"

Mr Johnson said: "I congratulate my honourable friend on everything he has done to represent this vital industry, which indeed earns billions of pounds in revenue for this country and I think that tariffs on Scotch Whisky would be absolutely absurd, a point we have made repeatedly to our friends in the US. But again, when we do free trade deals around the world whisky is one of those many products that will have its chances boosted in export markets where it is currently grown."

Speaking afterwards, Mr Ross said: "Scotch Whisky is a vital industry for Moray and the whole country which continues to go from strength to strength. Last year, 41 bottles of whisky were shipped from Scotland every second, with an export value of £4.7 billion. That is a phenomenal contribution to our economy.

"But it could be under threat, along with many jobs, if the US adds tariffs to Scotch Whisky in retaliation to the EU introducing tariffs on American products as part of their trade war.

"It would be wrong for our iconic Scottish industry to be caught up in this fight, and I wanted the prime minister to know how important this is to Moray and the whole country and urged him to do everything possible to convince the US not to apply these tariffs.

"I’m pleased Boris Johnson has raised this with President Trump and I know it is being taken seriously at every level in government.

"Supporting Scotch Whisky means the industry can continue to invest in communities across Moray and Scotland, which is why I was determined to raise this with the prime minister at his first PMQ session."

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