The talks include the United States’ application of tariffs on imports from the United Kingdom under Section 232 and the UK’s retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. exports to the UK. Both parties are committed to working towards an expeditious outcome that ensures the viability of steel and aluminium industries in both markets against the continuing shared challenge of global excess capacity and strengthens their democratic alliance.
Robert Maron, VP-International Trade, Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., call the news a very positive development. Securing immediate removal of the UK’s 25% tariff on American Whiskeys will help support U.S. jobs as the economy seeks to recover from the harsh economic impacts and significant supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the imposition of the tariffs, American Whiskey exports to the UK, the fourth largest market, have declined by 53%, from $150 million to $71 million (2018-2020).”