President Trump’s latest threat to impose more tariffs on the United Kingdom would be “devastating” for sectors that are crucial for the Scottish economy, the Scottish Conservatives have warned.
Shadow business secretary Murdo Fraser says if his threat to impose ten per cent tariffs from February 1, which would rise to 25 per cent in the summer, goes ahead it would be “deeply damaging” for jobs and economic growth across Scotland.
He has submitted a question in Holyrood to urge SNP ministers, including John Swinney, to do everything in their power to protect jobs in industries including Scotch whisky and textiles, which are already suffering from previous tariffs introduced by President Trump.
The Scotch Whisky Association say the industry has already recorded more than 1,000 job losses in the past year and is losing £20 million a month.
Leonard Russell, the managing director at Ian Macleod Distillers, has said that “an increase in tariffs will be a serious blow on both sides of the Atlantic”.
David Graham, the director of the GlenWyvis Distillery in the Highlands added: “For smaller distilleries like ourselves, it presents further barriers to entering the American market which could help us create great jobs in the Highlands. Everyone loses out.”
Murdo Fraser says that more tariffs are in “nobody’s interest” and that he hopes “common sense” will prevail and that the Scottish economy won’t be hit further in the coming weeks and months.
Scottish Conservative shadow business secretary Murdo Fraser MSP said: “This latest threat by President Trump to impose more tariffs would be devastating for industries key to Scotland’s economy.
“Our whisky and textile sectors in particular will be alarmed at his plans which could see them hit by further additional costs in a matter of weeks at a time when they are already suffering.
“More tariffs would be deeply damaging for jobs and economic growth across Scotland, with the whisky industry having lost 1,000 jobs in the last year alone.
“I have submitted a question to SNP ministers asking them to outline how they will do everything they can to protect jobs and make it clear in no uncertain terms to President Trump that these tariffs should not be introduced.
“John Swinney appeared confident that a deal could be done on existing tariffs following his White House visit a few months ago, but right now that appears miles off.
“President Trump’s comments regarding Greenland are deeply concerning, and it’s essential that diplomatic discussions continue. I hope that common sense will prevail and that tariffs are not used as a bargaining chip in negotiations, as they are in nobody’s interest, on either side of the Atlantic.”