Whisky made in Scotland is among the products targeted by the US for a possible range of new tariffs on imported goods.

The US has threatened to impose tariffs on European Union imports worth up to $4bn (£3.2bn).

It is not known when tariffs would be imposed.

Whiskey from Ireland, continental cheeses including Parmesan and Gouda, pasta and olives are among the other items potentially affected.

The US has released a list of 89 items in total.

The US Trade Representative said it was "in response to harm caused by EU aircraft subsidies".

In April, the US announced proposed tariffs worth billions on EU goods.

The US is the world's largest export market for Scotch whisky by value - £1.04bn in 2018.

By volume, it is the second largest, with 137 million 70cl bottles exported last year.

A spokesperson for the Scotch Whisky Association said: "Exports of Scotch whisky to the US have been zero tariff for 20 years, so it is disappointing that Scotch whisky has been drawn into this dispute.

"The Scotch whisky industry has consistently opposed the imposition of tariffs, which harms economies on both sides of the Atlantic which depend on trade for their continued prosperity.

"There is a close relationship between the US whiskies and Scotch whisky, not least due to the use of bourbon casks for maturation which generates around £70m for the US economy each year.

"We continue to urge the UK government, the EU and the US government to resolve this situation."

Scotch whisky makes up 12% of the total whiskey market in the United States, with US whiskey accounting for 48%.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States warned that the move could harm jobs and consumers in the country.