Scotch Whisky Tariffs

David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) (Con)
What steps his Department is taking to support the Department for International Trade in removing tariffs on Scotch malt whisky.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Nadhim Zahawi)
My Department is working closely with the Department for International Trade to secure a swift settlement of the ongoing aerospace dispute to the benefit of all UK industries, including Scotch whisky, and demonstrating our commitment to free and fair trade.

David Mundell
Does the Minister recognise that it is very important to resolve this issue within the current presidential term? Will his Department therefore take urgent measures to resolve, bilaterally, the Airbus-Boeing dispute so that we can get these damaging tariffs removed from Scotch whisky, as I say, during the current presidential term?

Nadhim Zahawi
I reassure my right hon. Friend that the Government are urgently seeking a negotiated settlement of this dispute and are exploring all options. The imminent award of retaliatory rights should incentivise the US to engage in discussions to reach a fair and balanced settlement.