Nadine, I think it's very important that politicians with large twitter followings impart accurate information and do not mislead their followers.. So lets examine you what you said:
So let's look at the tariff for ROASTED coffee imported from poor countries.
So let's look at the tariff for ROASTED coffee imported from poor countries.
Let's look at the very poorest countries. The UN list of 47 poorest countries (Least Developed Nations) are all eligible for EU's Everything But Arms (EBA) schedule, that means zero tariffs on everything but guns. That's all countries on this map. Botswana (green) have opted out. 
But let's look specifically at coffee producers in Africa.
The top 10 coffee producing nations in Africa are Ethiopia, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, Madagascar, Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_c…
The top 10 coffee producing nations in Africa are Ethiopia, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, Madagascar, Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_c…
It's very easy to find out what tariff schedule a country is on using the UK Government website (gov.uk/trade-tariff )
or the EU website (ec.europa.eu/taxation_custo…) which holds the same information.
You just need to put in the code for the product and the country.
or the EU website (ec.europa.eu/taxation_custo…) which holds the same information.
You just need to put in the code for the product and the country.
So let's look at the tariff for ROASTED coffee (note not coffee beans) for each of those countries.
Firstly Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a Generalised Systems of Preferences (GSP) country thus on a preferential tariff of ZERO for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Firstly Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a Generalised Systems of Preferences (GSP) country thus on a preferential tariff of ZERO for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Uganda.
Uganda is also a GSP country and is on zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Uganda is also a GSP country and is on zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast is a GSP country, but not on a zero tariff. It's on a reduced tariff of 2.6%.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Ivory Coast is a GSP country, but not on a zero tariff. It's on a reduced tariff of 2.6%.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Kenya.
Kenya has an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU and so is on preferential tariffs, in this case it's ZERO for processed coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Kenya has an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU and so is on preferential tariffs, in this case it's ZERO for processed coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Tanzania.
It's a GSP country and on ZERO tariff for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c… …
It's a GSP country and on ZERO tariff for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c… …
Next Cameroon.
Cameroon has and EPA agreement with the EU See (trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/20… …) so it has ZERO tariffs on exports for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Cameroon has and EPA agreement with the EU See (trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/20… …) so it has ZERO tariffs on exports for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Madagascar.
This is a GSP country and the tariff for roasted coffee exports is zero again!
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
This is a GSP country and the tariff for roasted coffee exports is zero again!
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Gabon.
Since 2014 Gabon no longer qualifies a GSP country. They have raised themselves above the "low-income" and "lower-middle income" counties (eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/h…), so they are on the full tariff of 7.5%. An EPA is currently in negotiation.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Since 2014 Gabon no longer qualifies a GSP country. They have raised themselves above the "low-income" and "lower-middle income" counties (eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/h…), so they are on the full tariff of 7.5%. An EPA is currently in negotiation.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next DR of the Congo.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo are a GSP country and they are on ZERO tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
The Democratic Republic of the Congo are a GSP country and they are on ZERO tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Rwanda (last of the top 10)
Rwanda are a GSP country, and on zero tariffs including the tariff for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Rwanda are a GSP country, and on zero tariffs including the tariff for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
So I've done the top ten. Eight of them are on zero tariff. One is on a reduced tariff and only one, Gabon, is on the full tariff for roasted coffee. An EPA is in the pipeline that will reduce this to zero.
Might as well do the rest of the African countries on the list.
So Burundi
Burundi are a GSP country. So zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
So Burundi
Burundi are a GSP country. So zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Togo.
It should, perhaps, be no surprise to learn that Togo are a GSP country and so are on zero tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
It should, perhaps, be no surprise to learn that Togo are a GSP country and so are on zero tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Central African Republic
It's on zero again because of GSP.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
It's on zero again because of GSP.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Ghana
Ghana has an Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU. See eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/h…
Because of this they're on zero tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Ghana has an Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU. See eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/h…
Because of this they're on zero tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Sierra Leone.
It's a GSP with zero tariffs including the import into the EU of roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
It's a GSP with zero tariffs including the import into the EU of roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is part of the Eastern and Southern Africa States (ESA) trade agreement which also covers Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Zambia.
So all these countries including Zimbabwe are on zero tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Zimbabwe is part of the Eastern and Southern Africa States (ESA) trade agreement which also covers Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Zambia.
So all these countries including Zimbabwe are on zero tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Liberia
It's a GSP country on zero tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
It's a GSP country on zero tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Last on the list is Zambia.
As stated earlier they are party to the Eastern and Southern Africa States FTA with the EU.
So they're on zero tariffs as well (they also qualify as a GSP anyway).
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
As stated earlier they are party to the Eastern and Southern Africa States FTA with the EU.
So they're on zero tariffs as well (they also qualify as a GSP anyway).
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
So that's all the African countries on the list of top 50 coffee exporting countries. The vast majority are on zero tariffs for roasted coffee. Only one, Gabon, is on the full tariff and the other 2 or 3 are on reduced tariffs.
Hopefully this makes clear that the claim that "Roasted coffee beans have duty applied to prevent poorer countries" has little foundation in fact.
I look forward to seeing a reply correcting the error.
I look forward to seeing a reply correcting the error.
Addendum. As I have the info to hand I might a well do the rest of the top 50. Some of them at least.
Brazil of course the world's biggest coffee producer. They're also highly protectionist. Far more than the EU.
Brazil are on the full 7.5% tariff
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c… …
Brazil of course the world's biggest coffee producer. They're also highly protectionist. Far more than the EU.
Brazil are on the full 7.5% tariff
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c… …
Vietnam is next biggest.
Vietnam is a GSP country meaning reduced tariffs, but they don't qualify for a zero tariffs.
They are on a 2.6% tariff for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Vietnam is a GSP country meaning reduced tariffs, but they don't qualify for a zero tariffs.
They are on a 2.6% tariff for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next is Colombia.
Columbia has had an FTA wth the EU provisionally applied since 2012. So for roasted coffee they are on a zero tariff.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Columbia has had an FTA wth the EU provisionally applied since 2012. So for roasted coffee they are on a zero tariff.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Indonesia.
They're a GSP country on reduced tariffs, but not zero. It's 2.6%
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
They're a GSP country on reduced tariffs, but not zero. It's 2.6%
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Honduras.
A GSP country on ZERO tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
A GSP country on ZERO tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next India.
Now it's probably well known that there's no FTA with India ... but despite that they are a GSP country receiving preferential tariffs. So on a reduced tariff of 2.6% for roasted coffee. Fancy that?
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Now it's probably well known that there's no FTA with India ... but despite that they are a GSP country receiving preferential tariffs. So on a reduced tariff of 2.6% for roasted coffee. Fancy that?
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Mexico.
The EU has an FTA with Mexico. That means zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
The EU has an FTA with Mexico. That means zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Guatamala.
The EU has a trade deal (European Union Association Agreement) with Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and El Salvador,
So I think you know what this means by now. Yep .... zero tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
The EU has a trade deal (European Union Association Agreement) with Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and El Salvador,
So I think you know what this means by now. Yep .... zero tariffs for roasted coffee.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Peru.
Peru has an FTA with the EU, so zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Peru has an FTA with the EU, so zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Now China's next on the list of largest producers.
For China it's the full 7.5% tariff.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
For China it's the full 7.5% tariff.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Next Costa Rica
Already mentioned that there's an FTA in place. Zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Already mentioned that there's an FTA in place. Zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Papua New Guinea
Interim Partnership Agreement with the EU ... zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Interim Partnership Agreement with the EU ... zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Just in case it's not been clear. I've only been looking at the tariffs for roasted coffee. Unroasted coffee is alway zero.
Anyway Ecuador.
You might have guessed it already. Zero tariffs through an FTA.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Anyway Ecuador.
You might have guessed it already. Zero tariffs through an FTA.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Thailand next.
Well, they are on the full tariff of 7.5%
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Well, they are on the full tariff of 7.5%
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic is a CARIFORUM country. That's a grouping of he African, Caribbean and Pacific Group countries which the EU deal with as an economic unit.
They're on preferential tariffs. So it's zero tariff here yet again.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Dominican Republic is a CARIFORUM country. That's a grouping of he African, Caribbean and Pacific Group countries which the EU deal with as an economic unit.
They're on preferential tariffs. So it's zero tariff here yet again.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Philippines
Now the Philippines is a GSP+ country. That's a country on GSP as an incentive for sustainable development and good governance.
You guessed it zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Now the Philippines is a GSP+ country. That's a country on GSP as an incentive for sustainable development and good governance.
You guessed it zero tariffs.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Trinidad and Tobago
Zero tariffs for a CARIFORUM country.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
Zero tariffs for a CARIFORUM country.
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
I thought the list from Wikipedia of top coffee producers had 50 countries, on it but it actually had 51. By my reckoning 40 of those are on zero tariff for roasted coffee.
So. I think that's done.
EN
So. I think that's done.
EN
unroll
Clarification - I said (note not coffee beans) I meant to say (note not RAW coffee beans) for which the tariff is zero.
Clarification - I said (note not coffee beans) I meant to say (note not RAW coffee beans) for which the tariff is zero.
Hi @afneil can you please let people know that @NadineDorries and @Jacob_Rees_Mogg repeat false claims about tariffs on poor countries? Please see this thread.
I need to make a slight correction. Thank you @metroa2a for pointing it out.
I didn't notice the EPA field for the Ivory Coast on the tariff schedule, it is above the GSP line. So they're not on 2.6% they're on zero!
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
I didn't notice the EPA field for the Ivory Coast on the tariff schedule, it is above the GSP line. So they're not on 2.6% they're on zero!
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
I need to make a slight correction. Thank you @metroa2a for pointing it out.
I didn't notice the EPA field for the Ivory Coast on the tariff schedule. IT's above the GSP line. So they're not on 2.6% they're on zero!
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
I didn't notice the EPA field for the Ivory Coast on the tariff schedule. IT's above the GSP line. So they're not on 2.6% they're on zero!
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/trade-tariff/c…
