"I have pressed Minister Zeichner for further negotiations," CEO of Salmon Scotland, Tavish Scott, said.
Photo: Salmon Scotland.
Five weeks after 'Liberation Day', last Thursday, the United Kingdom became the first country with which the United States reached a trade agreement to reduce the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on exports. However, the universal 10% tariff remains in place, prompting trade body Salmon Scotland, which continues to see it as a barrier, to call for its elimination.
"Scottish salmon is enjoyed in 50 countries worldwide, and we welcome strong trading relationships with overseas markets," said Salmon Scotland's CEO, Tavish Scott. "However, the 10 per cent tariff on exports to the U.S. remains a barrier, and we want to see it removed," he added.
Last year, international sales of Scottish farmed salmon reached GBP 844 million (EUR 1.01 billion / USD 1.06 billion). The U.S. was its second-largest export market. With sales of GBP 225 million (EUR 266.9 million / USD 295.9 million), it accounted for more than a quarter of all salmon exported from the U.K. in 2024, both in value and volume.
Most of the salmon consumed in the United States is imported, with Chile supplying around half of the total. In this context, Scottish salmon is considered the premium product in the U.S. market. Therefore, following the announcement of the trade agreement between the U.K. and the U.S., the sector has asked the UK government for further negotiations.
Thus, on Thursday, the trade body's Chief Executive Officer, Tavish Scott, urged the British government to explore options to eliminate the tariff and ensure a level playing field for exporters.
Following previous meetings with salmon companies on the opening day of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global 2025, the world's largest seafood sales exhibition held in Barcelona last week, Scott spoke with the UK Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner.
"I have pressed Minister Zeichner for further negotiations to help our sector grow in the American market, which is already one of our most valuable. We want to build on that success," the CEO of Salmon Scotland said. "Today's US-UK deal should be seen as a staging post – not the destination – on the path to reducing trade barriers, securing jobs in Scotland, and driving economic growth."
Although Scott has not mentioned it at any time, the fact is that the elimination of all U.S. tariffs, including the universal 10% tariff, for food producers is not a far-fetched option if we take into account that in the agreement announced last Thursday, both countries have signed a reciprocal access to the beef market.
Under the deal, British farmers will be able to export 13,000 tons of meat tariff-free, even if there are no changes to London's restrictions on hormone production from the United States.
Beyond the future negotiations with the United States to achieve the elimination of tariffs, the trade body used its statement to assess the British government's announcement, also last week, on the trade deal with India.
Salmon Scotland said it expects other markets to become increasingly important and welcomed the trade agreement with India, the most far-reaching by the British government after leaving the European Union, which will see the end of a 33% tariff.
"Other international markets are becoming increasingly important. The UK-India trade deal will remove 33 per cent tariffs on salmon exports, which is a welcome step," said Tavish Scott. "It shows what can be achieved when government works with our sector to open new opportunities," Salmon Scotland CEO concluded.
