Thread by @CoppetainPU

Liz Truss on UK tariffs.

The “temporary tariff regime” not used

New consultations aim to

● simplify and tailor tariffs
● remove tariffs on key inputs to production
● remove tariffs where the UK has no or limited production

H/T @Brigid_Fowler

1/4

parliament.uk/business/publi…

Note:

1. These are “applied” tariffs. If they are below the “bound” levels the UK has committed in the WTO (now via EU28, after the transition via the UK’s own commitments), they are fully legal, no need for negotiations in the WTO.

2/4

tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2018/07/28/a-r…

2. Let’s hope “simplify” means getting rid of this Meursing Monstrosity 👇🏽 along with seasonal tariffs and tariffs expressed as combinations of euros and % (although UK exporters will still face them in the EU if there’s no trade deal).

3/4

tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2016/08/18/eu-…

In another statement to Parliament, on free trade agreements, Liz Truss says: “(taking into account sensitive UK products)”.

It presumably applies to the main tariffs on trade with the rest-of-the-world too. One key issue is identifying “sensitive”

4/4

parliament.uk/business/publi…

More detail from @DavidHenigUK

https://twitter.com/DavidHenigUK/status/1225364146214113287?s=20

@DavidHenigUK P.S. I am deaf to statements such as “champion of free trade” and “bulwark against the forces of protectionism” when the speaker also refers to protecting “sensitive” products.

All countries do the latter. None is a “bulwark against protectionism”.