Further to discussions with Ministers from the Department of International Trade, John Lamont MP has contacted the US Ambassador regarding the tariffs applied to textiles, Scotch Whisky and other iconic Scottish products.
The US continues to apply tariffs on British exports nine months after the start of a trade dispute between the EU and the USA. If tariffs are not removed this summer ahead of the US election, industries like local textiles firms will face many more months of damage.
The Borders MP has emphasised the need for swift action to remove these unnecessary tariffs to help the Scottish industry’s economic revival.
John Lamont MP said: “Since these tariffs were imposed, a number of iconic Scottish industries have been hammered by the extra costs associated with exports to the USA. The Scotch Whisky industry have faced a £200m fall in exports to the US. This has only been worsened by the harmful impact of COVID-19.
“As negotiations between the EU and US are not progressing, the UK’s Department for International Trade must take the lead in resolving the dispute.
“The removal of these export tariffs is a top priority for me and I have contacted the US Ambassador to seek an urgent resolution.
“I am encouraged that this issue has been raised directly by Secretary of State Liz Truss MP with US Trade Representative, Robert Lightizer, as we seek to deliver a trade deal between the US and UK.
“A US trade deal is an opportunity to resolve this and to support our local Borders textiles industry.”
