ÐßÐßÊÓƵ has submitted a response, written in consultation with our members, to the .

The letter encourages the UK Government to reconsider the exclusion of food and drink manufacturing from the scheme, particularly in light of ongoing energy cost pressures and broader industrial competitiveness concerns affecting the sector. 

Read our response here.

“We should all raise a glass to the removal of whisky tariffs after this week’s successful state visit.

“This is really positive news for producers on both sides of the Atlantic – from Scotland to Kentucky. The sector has faced real uncertainty and frustration throughout the negotiation process, so today’s decision will come as a welcome relief.

“We hope to see both governments build on the goodwill from this visit to keep UK-US economic cooperation moving forward and resolve remaining tariff barriers.”

ÐßÐßÊÓƵ CEO Duncan Edwards said the state visit by King Charles comes at an important moment for the US-UK economic relationship.

Reflecting on a year of tariff uncertainty, ÐßÐßÊÓƵ CEO Duncan Edwards said:

“One year on from ‘Liberation Day’, tariffs have added friction to transatlantic trade. Businesses have faced higher costs, disrupted supply chains, and the challenge of adjusting to shifting trade rules. 

“The past year has also made clear that tariffs are unlikely to be a passing disruption. Businesses should assume they will remain an enduring feature of US trade policy. Looking ahead, businesses should factor in the cost of tariffs as part of their exporting plans to the US and adjust accordingly, and assess whether exporting or manufacturing locally is their best option.  

“Despite the shifts in US trade policy, the transatlantic economic corridor remains resilient and the US remains amongst the most robust economies in the world. Trade flows have continued to rise over the past year, even in a more uncertain and complex environment.�

Leading US and UK defense companies will meet UK Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, in Washington DC today to discuss opportunities to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation, and highlight the importance of setting out clear defense spending commitments to secure long-term investment in the UK.

The meeting coincides with the release of a new ÐßÐßÊÓƵ (ÐßÐßÊÓƵ) report, Partnering for the Future: Priorities for US-UK Defense Cooperation in an Evolving Global Security Environment, which sets out a roadmap for deepening transatlantic defense cooperation and investment to meet the realities of the future battlespace.

Against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical instability and a complex global threat environment, the report identifies areas where US-UK defense cooperation should be strengthened to maintain military advantage, enhance resilience and leverage the scale, innovation and investment capacity of defense companies on both sides of the Atlantic.

The report, which draws on input from leading US and UK defense companies, prioritises the following four areas:

• • Strengthening the defense industrial base, particularly on streamlining procurement, building interoperability, and securing supply chains
  • Deepening collaboration on advanced air, land, and sea technologies to maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly technological battlespace
  • Enhancing cooperation on space and cyber capabilities, which are defining future warfare
  • Partnering to generate new and diverse sources of energy for defense, as the future battlespace demands more power

The report also highlights that delivering on these priorities requires clear and sustained defense spending commitments on both sides of the Atlantic. In particular, it calls on the UK to release its Defence Investment Plan and honour its pledge to spend five percent of GDP on national security. Industry leaders suggest that without clear procurement and investment commitments, the UK risks losing significant industry investment to international competitors. 

ÐßÐßÊÓƵ CEO Duncan Edwards said:

“The US and the UK have a long history of defense cooperation spanning more than a century, from intelligence sharing to joint military operations, with businesses in both countries playing a critical role in each other’s defense sectors.

“Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and technological change, the risks we face are more complex and immediate than at any time in recent decades.

“Our report sets out how we can strengthen transatlantic defense cooperation between government and business to ensure we can deliver the capabilities needed for the future.

“That ambition must be backed by sustained investment. Clear defense spending commitments, particularly from the UK, will be essential to securing the investment, innovation, and readiness required to meet these challenges.�

Commenting on the , published today, ÐßÐßÊÓƵ CEO Duncan Edwards said:

“UK steel producers will welcome today’s announcement. It is a logical – if overdue – response to global overcapacity and unfair trade practices, particularly from China.

“Closer alignment with the US on steel policy could also make room for renewed discussions on UK-US tariffs – not just to ease remaining trade barriers, but also to better coordinate responses to global overcapacity and dumping.

“Of course, one of the biggest challenges affecting steel – and many other UK industries – remains the cost of energy. Despite the current turmoil, we encourage the government to explore all options to help reduce the UK’s energy price gap with international competitors.â€�