A post-Brexit trade deal between UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison that will eliminate tariffs on all UK goods, signalling the end of the 5% tariff on Scotch whisky exports has been agreed in principle.
The deal is the first to be built from scratch since the UK left the EU and is seen as an important step towards the UK joining a wider Asia Pacific free-trade agreement.
Said Karen Betts, chief executive of the SWA, “It’s very good to see the removal of the 5% tariff on Scotch whisky in the agreement in principle between the UK and Australia. This will help Scotch whisky distillers continue to expand exports to Australia, which have almost doubled over the last decade, making Australia our eighth largest market by value.
“It’s also important to us that trade with Australia is now tariff-free for Scotch whisky – our preference is always for tariff-free trade, which enables Scotch whisky to compete on a level playing field and on the strength of our reputation for quality.
“We await further details of the agreement in principle. A framework for addressing regulatory barriers to trade with Australia, to ensure greater legal protection and tax fairness for Scotch whisky, is also important to us, and – if delivered in this agreement – will be a real boost for the industry.”