75 Organisations Urge US and UK Tariff Removals

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Following the recent announcement of an agreement between the United States and Japan on steel tariffs, 75 organisations representing sectors unrelated to the steel and aluminium dispute have urged US and UK leaders to reach an agreement to remove retaliatory tariffs and the threat of tariffs on their products without delay.

Among the 75 groups who signed the statement are:

• the Scotch Whisky Association;
• Bourbon Alliance;
• UK Fashion and Textiles Association;
• Wine and Spirit Trade Association;
• Motorcycle Industry Association UK;
• Chemical Industries Association UK;
• Rice Association UK.

US organisations include:

• the American Apparel & Footwear Association;
• American Association of Port Authorities;
• American Chemistry Council;
• Corn Refiners Association;
• USA Rice;
• National Association of State Departments of Agriculture;
• Farmers for Free Trade;
• Associated Equipment Distributors;
• US Grains Council;
• Vinyl Institute;
• US Motorcycle Manufacturers Association;
• American Distilled Spirits Alliance;
• National Association of Beverage Importers;
• National Association of Wine Retailers;
• National Restaurant Association;
• National Retail Federation;
• North American Shippers Association;
• US Wine Trade Alliance;
• Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America;
• Wine and Spirits Shippers Association;
• Wine Institute;
• WineAmerica.

The statement reads: "Since June 2018, suppliers and supply chains wholly unrelated to the steel and aluminium dispute have suffered from the imposition or threat of tariffs. What's worse, the last two years have been particularly challenging due to the COVID- 19 pandemic. As we work to rebound from this crisis, our sectors continue to be hampered by tariffs which were imposed when the UK was part of the EU, but are now only in place in the UK. The US and UK governments must level the playing field with the EU and remove the competitive disadvantage we now face.

"It is imperative these tariffs are removed so our sectors have the ability to recover from the harsh economic impacts and significant supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. Tariffs and the threat of additional tariffs are major barriers at a time when we should be focusing on recovering from the pandemic, creating jobs, promoting growth and investments in both the UK and the US.

"We welcome the suspension of tariffs between the US and EU in the steel and aluminium dispute and urge the UK and US governments to quickly secure an agreement removing tariffs and the threat of tariffs on products unrelated to the dispute, following the precedent set under the Airbus/Boeing dispute. This is an important step in helping to reset the critical U.S.-UK trading relationship, and it is essential to our ability to recover from the pandemic."

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