Post-Brexit tariff regime will “lower costs for many businesses” and “mean cheaper prices for consumers”, says IEA expert
19 May 2020
SUGGESTED
Government and Institutions
IEA research quoted by The Times
19 May 2020
In the Media
External Authors
Responding to the International Trade Secretary Liz Truss MP’s announcement of a new post-Brexit tariff regime, the UK Global Tariff (UKGBT), IEA Academic and Research Director Professor Syed Kamall said:
“With the UK and global economy facing an economic downturn as a result of Covid-19, it will be more important than ever to open up the UK market and reduce unnecessary barriers to trade.
“Simplifying and eliminating tariffs on imports will lower costs for many businesses, reduce administrative burdens, and mean cheaper prices for consumers.
“The Government is right to do away with the EU’s Meursing code, since this will allow the UK to reduce or scrap thousands of unnecessary import taxes on products – including 13,000 tariff variations on bakery products.”
“In leaving the EU, it is reassuring to see the government adopt an agenda of open trade which allows opportunities to reduce red tape and regulatory burdens on UK businesses. This will be essential to getting the economy back on track, maintaining existing jobs and creating new ones, as we emerge from lockdown.”
Syed Kamall sat on the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee for 14 years from 2005-19 and is Professor of Politics and International Relations at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For media enquiries please contact Emily Carver, Media Manager: 07715 942731.
For further reading:
Rules Britannia: Analysing Britain’s regulatory burden
Plan A+: Creating a prosperous post-Brexit UK
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.
The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
“With the UK and global economy facing an economic downturn as a result of Covid-19, it will be more important than ever to open up the UK market and reduce unnecessary barriers to trade.
“Simplifying and eliminating tariffs on imports will lower costs for many businesses, reduce administrative burdens, and mean cheaper prices for consumers.
“The Government is right to do away with the EU’s Meursing code, since this will allow the UK to reduce or scrap thousands of unnecessary import taxes on products – including 13,000 tariff variations on bakery products.”
“In leaving the EU, it is reassuring to see the government adopt an agenda of open trade which allows opportunities to reduce red tape and regulatory burdens on UK businesses. This will be essential to getting the economy back on track, maintaining existing jobs and creating new ones, as we emerge from lockdown.”
Syed Kamall sat on the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee for 14 years from 2005-19 and is Professor of Politics and International Relations at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For media enquiries please contact Emily Carver, Media Manager: 07715 942731.
For further reading:
Rules Britannia: Analysing Britain’s regulatory burden
Plan A+: Creating a prosperous post-Brexit UK
The mission of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.
The IEA is a registered educational charity and independent of all political parties.
SHARE
