The UK’s Department for International Trade confirmed yesterday (3 June) that it is working to remove the tariff.
As part of ongoing trade talks, the UK’s international trade secretary, Liz Truss, is also pushing for improved legal protection for whisky in Australia.
Truss said: “I am fighting hard to get these tariffs cut and secure a deal that benefits producers in Scotland and helps the whole of the UK.”
Australia is the eighth biggest market for Scotch whisky exports, worth £113 million (US$160m) in 2020.
Karen Betts, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said the deal will “support free and fair trade”.
She continued: “Over the last 10 years, exports of Scotch whisky to Australia have almost doubled. But they’re subject to a 5% tariff which we’d very much like to see removed, which would help to boost growth in our industry’s eighth largest global market. Read More.
