The tariff on single malt has knocked Scotch exports to the US by as much as 65 per centSince Covid-19 forced them to swap airport lounges for their sitting rooms, British trade officials have become accustomed to working online. Negotiating remotely “takes out a huge amount of crap,” one source said , as Whitehall chases five big free trade agreements. Liz Truss flew to the United States last week to persuade the Trump administration to rethink threatened tariffs on gin and remove duties crippling the Scotch whisky industry. The international trade secretary presented Robert Lighthizer, America’s trade representative, with a bottle of Hendrick’s as she lobbied for a reprieve on British spirits, but the meeting concluded without any guarantee. Her officials returned home unclear what Washington would do.

Source: The Times August 13, 2020 16:07 UTC