More people should be encouraged to drink Scotch whisky, a Labour frontbencher has said as he declared at the parliamentary despatch box he “might need a stiff one” himself.

Speaking at Westminster, Lord Leong hailed the international appeal of the “flavoursome” tipple, which he said generated £7 billion for the UK economy.

He made his comments as he was pressed over steps being taken by the Government to ensure single malt does not again become the target of punitive tariffs as collateral damage in a trade war.

We should encourage more people to enjoy Scotch whisky. I might need a stiff one after this

US President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20, has fuelled concerns over protectionism with the threat to impose levies on global imports.

Raising the issue in Parliament, Labour former Scotland secretary Lord Browne of Ladyton said: “In the context of a dispute about subsidies between Airbus and Boeing, in 2019 the United States imposed a 25% tariff on single malt Scotch whisky, which was levied between October 2019 and March 2021.

“It cost the Scottish whisky industry £1 million of revenue a day. In total, £600 million in exports was lost to the United States.

“This was suspended in June 2021 for five years and is due to come in again in June 2026.

“What steps are the Government taking to ensure that the Scottish whisky industry does not once again suffer collateral damage in a trade war that is not of its making?”

Responding, Lord Leong, who as a Lords whip holds the same constitutional position as a minister, said: “The Scottish whisky industry is the second most productive sector in Scotland, ranked just after renewable energies, and contributes £7 billion towards the UK economy.

“People from right across the world, in India, China and Japan, enjoy the flavoursome nature of Scotch whisky.

“We should encourage more people to enjoy Scotch whisky. I might need a stiff one after this.”

The former and incoming US president owns two golf clubs in Scotland.

His mother was born on Lewis in the Outer Hebrides before emigrating to America.