Fife Chamber joins SCC campaign to call time on damaging and unfair US tariffs

Scottish Chambers of Commerce network joins campaign to end US export tariffs

Scottish companies in a number of important business sectors have been absorbing unfair tariffs on their exports to America since October 2019 because of a trade dispute between the US and the EU. This additional 25% tax is having a dramatic effect on businesses here in Fife and across the rest of Scotland.

The US is Scotland’s top international export destination with £5.5 billion of sales in 2018, representing 16% of Scotland’s total global exports. This highlights how important and valued a trade partner the USA is to Scotland.

While we welcome the negotiations that are taking place between the UK and the US to produce a Free Trade Agreement, these tariffs remain in place, with millions being lost in exports every month. Time is running out for the UK and Scottish Government to have these tariffs removed to safeguard future Scottish jobs and Scotland’s export capability. Trade disputes between the EU and US on steel, aluminium and aerospace have nothing to do with Scottish produce, yet our businesses are paying the price every day, further risking jobs in companies trying to cope with the damaging impact of Covid and lockdown.

The SCC has called on the UK and Scottish Government’s to act now to work with the Trump Administration to have the tariffs removed as a matter of urgency before irreparable damage is caused. Fife Chamber has written to local MPs and MSPs urging them to back the campaign.

#CallTimeOnTariffs