US wine imports could become one of several American products to be levied with new tariffs as part of the ongoing trade war.
The proposed import tariffs, which will also apply to chocolate and lobsters, are the latest response from Westminster to the 25% steel and 10% aluminium tariffs introduced on imports to the US by the Trump administration.
“We now have the power to shape these tariffs, so they reflect UK interests and are tailored to our economy,” said international trade secretary, Liz Truss.
“Ultimately, however, we want to de-escalate these disputes so we can move forward and work closely with the US on issues like World Trade Organisation reform and tackling unfair trade practices by non-market economies.”
Britain hasn’t yet declared what the proposed import tariff rates will be, but the trade department has insisted that Truss and her US counterpart have had productive discussions towards de-escalating the dispute.
According to customs data, Britain imported 133,512 tonnes of wine from the United States last year, worth £224 million.