A 25% tariff was imposed on imports of US whiskey into the EU. Credit: Adam Jaime on Unsplash.

GMB, a general trade union in the UK is urging an end to US whisky tariffs, as it would impact 22,000 jobs in the whisky and spirit industry.

In June 2018, a 25% tariff was imposed on imports of US whiskey into the EU.

Under the analysis released by GMB, around 9,000 people are directly employed in the spirits industry in Scotland, while 14,700 people are engaged in the supply chain segment across the UK.

GMB Scotland Organiser Keir Greenaway said: “The Conservative Government has repeatedly ignored GMB warnings and left the Scottish whisky industry exposed to attacks from the US.

“These tariffs constitute a direct threat to the Scottish economy and to more than 20,000 jobs across the UK.”

Additionally, the data released by GMB suggests that £4.7bn worth Scotch whisky was exported in 2018.

Figures also indicate that the average earnings in the spirits industry are 19% higher than the manufacturing.

Last month, Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus) representatives urged UK and US governments to end the tariffs.

GMB welcomed the move by SWA and Discus.

At the time Greenaway said: “Trade wars have real consequences. Despite our repeated warnings over the past three years, the UK government has been complacent and has failed to act to defend the Scotch Whisky industry.”

In October, SWA urged the UK government to support the industry after the implementation of a 25% tariff on imports of single malt Scotch whisky and liqueurs.