Scottish whisky is a multi-billion dollar export industry - and the U.S. is its most important market.
But concern is growing among producers, after President Trump implemented a 10% tariff on all UK exports.
The drinks giant Diageo, whose brands include Johnnie Walker and Bells, has already scraped a key sales target.
CGTN's Michael Voss tells us more ⬇️
https://tinyurl.com/3wmw3emd
But concern is growing among producers, after President Trump implemented a 10% tariff on all UK exports.
The drinks giant Diageo, whose brands include Johnnie Walker and Bells, has already scraped a key sales target.
CGTN's Michael Voss tells us more ⬇️
https://tinyurl.com/3wmw3emd
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NewsTranscript
00:00The United States is the largest market for Scottish whisky,
00:03buying more than a billion dollars worth of the tipple every year.
00:07For Scotland, it's a major export.
00:11There are more than 150 distilleries in Scotland.
00:14This shop in Edinburgh sells hundreds of brands,
00:18some of them selling for thousands of dollars.
00:21Now the industry, which supports around 60,000 jobs,
00:25is trying to assess just what impact President Trump's 10% tariff on UK imports will have.
00:32Many of the distilleries are in remote rural regions.
00:37Annabel Thomas is founder of one of Scotland's newest distilleries,
00:41specialising in carbon-free organic whisky.
00:44The company launched in the key US market a year and a half ago,
00:48hoping to generate a third of its revenue in America.
00:51That was before the 10% levy was announced.
00:56That would cause us to think about how much investment we put into the US, I think,
01:00but it certainly wouldn't stop us selling into it as a market.
01:03Anything more than that, and I think that would cause us more pause for thought.
01:09The industry knows from past experience how painful tariffs can be.
01:13In 2019, the US imposed a 25% tariff on Scotch whisky
01:18as part of a broader dispute with the European Union.
01:22Estimates put lost revenue at almost $800 million.
01:27Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer has decided against retaliating
01:30with counter-tariffs on US goods for the moment,
01:34hoping to negotiate a better deal.
01:37American tourist Matt Cardoza is looking to buy some Scotch to take home with him,
01:42but says he'll still drink the Scottish export if the price at home rises.
01:48Yes, yes, most and definitely I will be.
01:50Even if it's more expensive?
01:5210%? Yeah, it's good enough whisky, I'll pay the 10% on it.
01:58The Scotch Whisky Association says it's dismayed at the 10% tariff,
02:03but is backing the government's softly, softly approach.
02:07The industry is hoping for a political solution,
02:10but is pushing the government for assistance if the tariffs continue.
02:14Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:17Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:18Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:19Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:20Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:21Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:22Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:23Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:24Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:25Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:26Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:27Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:28Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:29Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:30Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:31Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:32Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:33Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.
02:34Michael Vost, CGTN, Edinburgh.