BORIS Johnson has promised to slash the cost of American whiskey immediately after Brexit following secret talks with US officials.

The PM said he would remove the EU’s crippling tariffs slapped on American imports after Donald Trump’s trade war with Brussels.

Boris Johnson has vowed to slash tariffs on Scotch whisky to zero after Brexit Credit: AFP or licensors

CHEERS!

Mr Johnson also suggested he had been given assurances that the US would respond by slashing its 25 per cent import tariff on Scotch whisky.

The punitive tax had threatened thousands of Scottish jobs.

Britain currently has to follow EU tariffs but under Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal the UK would be able to decide its own rates.

Experts said slashing the EU’s current tariff level would save between £3-£5 on a bottle of £30 Bourbon.

I can’t into the conversations but you should know that, coming out of the EU, the tariff finishes anyway. Once we come out of the EU, those tariffs will not apply. Boris Johnson

On a campaign visit to a distillery in Elgin, Scotland Mr Johnson said: “One thing I will say - I have interceded several times now with the Americans.

“They put the tariff on whisky because the EU Commission decided to put a tariff on Bourbon. It was a cynical tactic by the EU because they knew the Americans would respond in that way.

“I can’t go into the conversations but you should know that, coming out of the EU, the tariff finishes anyway. Once we come out of the EU, those tariffs will not apply.”

Mr Johnson also said a review of excise duties on spirits will be carried out if he wins the election.

It raises the prospect of finally slashing the crippling level of tax on spirits, which currently makes up 79p in every £1 on Scotch whisky.



'YOKE-MATES OF DESTRUCTION'

Mr Johnson also claimed Nicola Sturgeon and Jeremy Corbyn have teamed up to smash the U.K. as “the yoke-mates of destruction”.

He also gave a “cast iron” promise to ignore demands for a new independence referendum even if the SNP wins a majority at this election and at Holyrood in 2021.

But, speaking at the behind the closed doors event, the PM denied he had dodged ordinary Scots since sneaking out the back door of Bute House to avoid booing crowds in the summer.

“I have met many, many Scottish voters in my time as PM.

I have met many, many members of the public but you haven’t necessarily been there. I am always very pleased to come to Scotland. Boris Johnson

“I have met many, many members of the public but you haven’t necessarily been there. I am always very pleased to come to Scotland.”

Mr Johnson stressed again that he will not give ground on IndyRef2, despite Ms Sturgeon’s claims that an SNP victory will make her demand for a new vote “irresistible.”

He said: “The people of Scotland in 2014 were told that, if they had a referendum, it would be a once in a generation thing.

“There is a Deal now between the SNP and Jeremy Corbyn because the only way he hopes to get into power is with a deal with the SNP.

“The result is, next year would be a chaotic year of two referendums, one on Scotland and one on the EU which would be a truly bizarre event because Corbyn has already pledged to go off and negotiate a new deal and then spend six months on a referendum campaign when it’s not even clear if he’s for Leave or Remain.”

He added: “There is no case whatever because people were promised in 2014 that it would be a once in a generation event.

“It’s perfectly obvious that Jeremy Corbyn is going to rely on the SNP to get him into power and he has done a shady deal. “

Asked if an SNP majority at Holyrood might change his mind, he said simply: “No.”

Boris Johnson visits a whiskey distillery in Elgin, Scotland Credit: AFP or licensors

Boris enjoys a drop of whisky during hour-long visit to Scotland today Credit: PA:Press Association

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