The United States will lift trading tariffs on UK exports on £550m worth of UK exports such as Scotch whisky and Stilton cheese that were imposed as part of a trading row with the European Union over subsidies to Boeing and Airbus.
A World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling held that the aerospace companies had received illegal state support from their respective governments and ruled that both the US and the European Commission could impose tariffs on a number of imports not limited to the aerospace industry to mitigate the economic damage.
In a move that was welcomed by UK international trade secretary, Liz Truss, the United States will suspend tariffs for four months in a move to de-escalate the trading dispute.
Ms Truss described the move as “Global Britain in action: securing new opportunities as a newly nimble nation.”
“This breakthrough shows that we can do more under our values-driven approach to stand up for British industry than was possible as part of the EU,” said Truss.
“We are sending a powerful signal that the best way forward for us all lies in free and fair trade.”
The US trade representative’s office confirmed that it would temporarily suspend the tariffs, to allow time to negotiate on settling the aircraft dispute.
“The United Kingdom and the United States are undertaking a four-month tariff suspension to ease the burden on industry and take a bold, joint step towards resolving the longest running disputes at the World Trade Organization,” read a joint UK-US statement published on Thursday.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage tweeted on the news: “Delighted that Scotch whisky tariffs have been suspended. Perhaps Biden realises that we are more of a friend than the EU.”
The Scotch Whisky Association said in a statement that the whole industry “is breathing a sigh of relief.”
“Suspending these tariffs – stemming from a transatlantic trade dispute that had nothing to do with us – and a return to tariff-free trade with the US means livelihoods and communities across Scotland will be protected.”
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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