Donald Trump’s decision to slap a 25 per cent tariff on Scotch whisky is “profoundly concerning” for the industry, Nicola Sturgeon has warned.
The US are to impose £6.1billion of tariffs on goods, including single malt Scotch, imported from the from October 18.
Brussels has threatened to retaliate against .
Sturgeon said a “trade war” would mean all parties suffer.
Speaking at ’s Questions at , she added: “The news is profoundly worrying for Scotch whisky and for the other Scottish products...that are exported to the United States.”
Sturgeon added: “I discussed the issue with the a couple of weeks ago and we will continue to encourage the UK Government to support a negotiated settlement to this.
“We support the efforts of the EU to find that negotiated settlement.
“It is in nobody’s interests to have trade wars like this. Everybody ends up being a loser.
"The sooner we find a resolution to this, the better and I would encourage UK ministers to work hard to do so.”
Presently there is no tariff on imported to the US.
SWA chief executive Karen Betts said: “The tariff will undoubtedly damage the Scotch whisky sector.
“We expect to see a negative impact on investment and job creation in and longer-term impacts on productivity and growth across the industry and our supply chain. We believe the tariff will also have a cumulative impact on consumer choice.”
Trump is imposing the tariffs in retaliation at EU subsidies given to aircraft maker Airbus and rival Boeing. The dispute has been going on since 2004
Other goods being targeted include cashmere sweaters, wine, cheese, dairy products, pork, books, aircraft and aircraft parts.
A ruling on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for the tariffs.
The Scotch whisky industry directly employs about 11,000 people in Scotland and many supply chain.
More than 7000 of the jobs are in rural areas.
America is the industry’s single biggest market – with more than £1billion of the spirit exported last year.
GMB Scotland secretary said: “This is a troubling glimpse into the post-Brexit future.
“The collective strength we have in the EU trading bloc will be gone and Trump will squeeze the UK economy for everything he can get.”
Scottish Labour’s Rhoda Grant said: “The UK Government must do all it can to ensure the US reverses this decision.”
