Aberdeen is today hosting the second transatlantic trade dialogue aimed at boosting the UK’s £200 billion trade partnership with the US.

The transatlantic trade dialogue will focus on agreed priority areas including digital and innovation, green trade, supporting SMEs and supply chain resilience.

Dialogue will convene leaders from across Scottish, central and local government, a wide range of businesses as well as trade unions and civil society groups such as Trades Union Congress.

Figures have shown that the US is currently Scotland’s number one foreign investor and, according to EY, US-owned firms support over 100,000 jobs, generating nearly £50bn for Scotland’s economy.

Commenting on the meeting, International Trade Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said: “This dialogue gives us a platform to explore more modern, digital ways of trading.

“It will identify and resolve barriers to trade to make it cheaper and easier for businesses in Scotland and throughout the UK to do business with our US friends.

“As two leaders in green innovation, it also gives us the opportunity to harness trade to tackle shared challenges such as climate change.”

Ahead of the meeting, Trevelyan and her US counterpart Ambassador Tai will visit offshore energy SME, Enpro-Subsea in Aberdeen where Trevelyan will highlight the UK’s energy strategy aimed at securing energy security and independence, while supporting the transition from fossil fuels to new technologies.

Discussions will also provide a foundation for further engagement with the US, including ongoing work at a state-level such as mutual recognition of qualifications as well as continuing to remove barriers to trade.

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UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: “We’re delighted to host today’s talks in Aberdeen, marking a positive development in our already strong trade relationship with the US.

“Improving our partnership will create new high-quality opportunities for businesses in Scotland, including from our thriving food and drink, tech and energy sectors.

“At a time when we face immense global challenges, joining with our friends in the US to lift barriers, improve communication and encourage new and innovative ways of working together will support jobs across Scotland and beyond, benefiting businesses of all sizes.”

Allan Hogarth, Executive Director of the Scottish North American Business Council (SNABC) added: “The SNABC is very much looking forward to participating in the Aberdeen session of the Transatlantic Dialogue, building on the success of the Baltimore session last month.

“These discussions will cover vital areas to the Scottish, UK and US economies – it is a great opportunity to make sure Scottish voices are heard on this, our single biggest export market, and to try and make it simpler for us all to continue to prosper and strengthen the transatlantic relationship for our mutual benefit.”

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