UK’s Brexit tariff plan sparks business fury

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March 14, 2019

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UK’s Brexit tariff plan sparks business fury

Source: AP | 07:03 UTC+8 March 14, 2019 |

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Business leaders reacted with fury yesterday after the British government unveiled a temporary tariff regime that could see higher prices on an array of imports ranging from cars to butter, if the country crashes out of the European Union later this month without a deal.

The tariffs, which would last for up to 12 months, were published hours before lawmakers are expected to vote against the possibility of the country leaving the EU on the scheduled Brexit date of March 29 without a deal. Lawmakers are expected to reject that proposition, a day after they overwhelmingly voted against Prime Minister Theresa May’s divorce agreement for a second time.

“What we are hearing is the biggest change in terms of trade this country has faced since the mid-19th century being imposed on this country with no consultation with business, no time to prepare. This is no way to run a country,” said Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry. “This is a sledgehammer for our economy.”

The tariff proposals come amid concerns that a “no-deal” Brexit would have a catastrophic impact on the British economy, driving up costs for businesses, reducing investment and threatening jobs. The government said the plan actually represents a “modest liberalization” of trade rules, with no tariffs on 87 percent of imports by value.

Though a large chunk of products won’t be facing any extra cost, officials in the Department for International Trade are proposing tariffs and quotas on some goods to help British industries that are currently protected by high EU tariffs or face unfair trading practices, such as state subsidies.

In a statement, the department said the tariff regime is “designed to minimize costs to business and consumers while protecting vulnerable industries.”

The plan is controversial because Britain has enjoyed free trade with the European Union for more 40 years. The proposed tariffs could lead to higher prices for goods such as cars, clothes, beef, chicken and pork imported from the continent. The Bank of England has estimated that inflation could rise from around 2 percent now to almost 7 percent within months of a disorderly “no-deal” Brexit.

Under the change, whole fresh chicken would be subject to a tariff of 19.60 euros (US$10.85) per 100 kilograms, increasing prices about 7.8 percent.

But the plan is full of anomalies. sheep farmers would be protected by tariffs, but vegetable growers would not. Finished cars will face tariffs, but car parts won’t as trade officials seek to protect British carmakers.

Interest groups of all kinds reacted with outrage, even those who had secured some measure of safeguard.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said the move does not resolve the devastating effect that no deal would have.

“No policy on tariffs can come close to compensating for the disruption, cost and job losses that would result from no deal. It’s staggering that we are in this position with only days until we are due to leave,” he said.

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UK’s Brexit tariff plan sparks business fury

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