October 08, 2019
Firms could be “destroyed” by foreign competition after a no-deal Brexit, say industry leaders, as ministers confirmed almost all tariffs could be slashed to zero.
No-Deal Brexit Tariffs Will Destroy British Firms And Betray Farmers, Say Industry Leaders
Trade Secretary Liz Truss said on Tuesday that zero tariffs could be applied to 88% of all imports in a bid to protect the consumer from price inflation if Britain crashes out of Europe. 
Key figures who have lobbied the government over the risk of cheap imports say the schedule, largely unchanged since March, will decimate businesses and see farmers “betrayed”. 
The regime may also apply for as long as 12 months, with a consultation on permanent arrangements not starting until January.
There have been just three amendments to the schedule, despite a raft of key industries such as food and drink and ceramics begging for higher tariffs.  
The government will lower tariffs on HGVs entering the UK market, adjust tariffs on bioethanol and apply tariffs to additional clothing products.
The new HGV tariff will be 10%, having been set at between 10% and 22% in March, while additional clothing was 0% in March and is now 8%-12%.
The tariff rate for bioethanol is unchanged but will apply to fewer products. 
But the news has left a string of key industries dismayed and angry. 
National Farmers Union President Minette Batters said ministers must act immediately to protect farmers and growers.
She added: “Without the maintenance of tariff protections, we are in danger of opening up the UK to imported food which would be illegal to be produced here, produced at a lower cost because it may fail to meet the environmental and animal welfare standards which are legally required of our own farmers – flooding our market and resulting in unsustainable price falls.
“Not only could this be terrible news for farmers, whose very businesses will be under threat, but also for consumers who enjoy the high-quality and affordable British food they produce.”
Batters added: “Farmers are going to feel betrayed by this government’s failure to act now in making sure that all that can be done is being done to help mitigate the damaging effects of a no-deal Brexit.”
The government said honey from New Zealand will see its tariff fall from 17% to zero, grapes from Brazil will reduce from around 15% to zero and other products, such as tennis rackets and wines, will no longer face a tariff.
Laura Cohen, chief executive of the British Ceramic Confederation, who represents firms in the Stoke potteries industry, was angry at the news.  
“Government says ‘they’ll see how it goes for a year’ and will run a consultation,” she said, adding: “That just isn’t good enough.” 
Any period with a zero tariff schedule would mean jobs are hit, said Cohen. 
“Government is closing the stable door after the horse has bolted,” she said. “Our successful businesses have already tied up much cash in Brexit preparations, in stocks or raw materials and finished goods, in paying overtime to deal with a spike in export orders, with resulting sparse order books later this year.  
“If they have a flood of imports on top of this, it’s going to be really challenging. At the same time, in a no-deal Brexit our British manufacturers’ products would suddenly be more expensive in Europe and in places like Japan and Canada where we will have lost our preferential access. It’s a double whammy.”
The Food and Drink Federation said prices will go up regardless of the new schedule because of how much food firms have already invested in preparing for no deal. 
Policy manager Dominic Goudie said: “As FDF said in March, adjusting to this new schedule is both confusing and complex for businesses. This is not going to create a big win for consumers.
He added: “These changes to tariffs facing both imports and exports will lead to massive trade distortions that will be bad for business and consumers alike.
“Many food and drink manufacturers who trade with the EU will now question whether the UK is the right place for them to be.  
“Government must avoid a catastrophic no-deal scenario that would result in these tariffs entering into force, so that they can undertake an open and transparent consultation on future UK tariffs.” 
Duncan Buchanan, policy manager for the Road Haulage Association – the trade body for freight – called the tariff changes for HGVs “spin”. Haulage industry agrees that @tradegovuk spin claiming to help industry is wrong. In our case hitting the cleanest lorries with NEW tariff of up to 16% - against its own clean air policies.Whitewash and spin. Not listening, not understanding.@BBCNewsnight@RHANews@BenChu_https://t.co/SeSzzPk8yMpic.twitter.com/NmU39tWDFr— Duncan Buchanan (@RHADuncanB) October 8, 2019Dr Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said businesses “will be frustrated” at so few changes after six months of delay as he accused the government of “needlessly extending uncertainty around the entire future tariff schedule”.
He said: “The delay has real-world impacts for businesses trying to plan for the unwanted prospect of a no-deal in a matter of weeks.” 
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) national chairman Mike Cherry said two-thirds of small businesses still need answers.
“Fundamentally, small firms are crying out for two things at this point: a pro-business Brexit deal and financial assistance to help manage the costs of uncertainty,” he said, adding: “What small businesses really want – with confidence currently suffering an unprecedented losing streak – is a return to an environment where they can plan three, five and 10 years in advance.”
Shadow Trade Secretary Barry Gardiner said the government was “fiddling while Rome burns” and failing to listen to businesses.
He said: “The few adjustments that have been announced today still fly in the face of the demands of the vast majority of business groups and farmers who are extremely concerned that slashing tariffs for imports could see a flood of cheap imports undercutting their sector.” Related... Boris Johnson’s Brexit Plan Is Already Facing Rejection In Brussels Johnson Admits UK-US Trade Deal Won't Be 'Plain Sailing' Corbyn Tells Johnson: Publish Secret No-Deal Brexit Documents
Related Stories
Latest News
Top news around the world
Academy Awards

‘Oppenheimer’ Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director

Get the latest news about the 2024 Oscars, including nominations, winners, predictions and red carpet fashion at 96th Academy Awards

Around the World

Politic
Mary Trump 'energized' as uncle 'Donald's campaign spirals into chaos'
Mar 29, 2024
Donald Trump's campaign is in chaos, and his niece says she's energized.Mary Trump, the niece of the former president and a psychologist by trade, has previously been critical of her uncle.On Thursday, she said her uncle's failures are adding up.ALSO READ: A neuroscientist reveals how Trump and Biden's cognitive impairments are different"As the RNC’s fundraising falters and Donald’s campaign spirals into chaos, I am energized!" she said in a Substack post.She then continued:"When Donald dominates the news cycle, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. Every bad headline has a negative impact. But then I remember something crucial: There’s usually more to the story than meets the eye. I’m determined to cut through the media noise and share with you all the good that happened this week. These are the headlines we need to remain energized and hopeful that the media largely ignored."Mary Trump goes on to highlight President Joe Biden's recent fundraising hauls."President Biden’s $155 million+ war chest has just received another turbo boost, bringing the total of cash on hand to at least $180 million. (By comparison, between his campaign and the RNC, Donald barely has over $50 million — and continues to drain the accounts to cover his absolutely staggering legal expenses)," she wrote. "This is a development that could significantly increase Biden’s ability to influence the narrative in crucial swing states."This, she says, also tells us a lot about voter excitement for Biden."While critics have expressed doubts about the degree to which the Democratic base is fired up as compared to 2020, today’s $25 million fundraiser, raised with donations ranging from $250 to $500,000, should put any doubts to rest — yes, we are absolutely behind President Biden and Vice President Harris and we’re in this fight until the end," she wrote.Read the full post here.
READ MORE
Celebrity News

> Latest News in Media

Watch It
Ruby Franke’s Husband REVEALS Alleged Rules He Had to Follow at Home | E! News
March 28, 2024
_mU-3lE2QwI
#KenanThompson speaks out following the #QuietonSet documentary. (🎥: Tamron Hall Show) #shorts
March 28, 2024
8AGP-Gfw_Ek
King Charles Shares "Great Sadness" at Missing Royal Appearance | E! News
March 28, 2024
lyizFqf1kQY
Martha Reeves Walk of Fame Ceremony
March 27, 2024
QzyezumEPtQ
Eminem, 50 Cent & Snoop Dogg Present Dr. Dre with a Star on the Walk of Fame
March 19, 2024
4bNLs1hxVp8
Opening Remarks for the Variety Summit October 20th, 2023 Jay Penske
March 18, 2024
c6Z707iLq8E
Montell Jordan Dishes On Young MC Wedding, 'This Is How Date Night' Plans | TMZ
March 28, 2024
G3SMExj-qio
Davina Potratz Says TV Not Helping 'Selling Sunset' Relationship Woes | TMZ
March 28, 2024
D4piy4GNm4k
Logan Paul Rips Graham Bensinger Over Documentary, You Promised Apple TV+ | TMZ Live
March 28, 2024
NiSDpZhZklQ
Prince William pinned royal medal to Spice Girl Mel B’s boobs #shorts
March 28, 2024
O1cQ0UW9pco
Jennifer Garner shares ‘hard’ part of raising her and Ben Affleck’s kids
March 28, 2024
3Q7mZaVUdgc
50 Cent's ex Daphne Joy named as an alleged sex worker in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs lawsuit #shorts
March 28, 2024
yhLFI8DG9rM
TV Schedule
Late Night Show
Watch the latest shows of U.S. top comedians

Sports

Latest sport results, news, videos, interviews and comments
Latest Events
28
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
PSG W - Hacken W
28
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Barcelona W - SK Brann W
27
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Chelsea W - Ajax W
27
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Lyon W - SL Benfica W
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Atletico Madrid - Barcelona
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester United - Liverpool
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Inter Milan - Napoli
17
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund - Eintracht Frankfurt
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Chelsea - Leicester City
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Roma - Sassuolo
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Verona - AC Milan
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Genoa
16
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Darmstadt - Bayern Munich
16
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester City - Newcastle United
16
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Fulham - Tottenham Hotspur
16
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Osasuna - Real Madrid
13
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Atletico Madrid - Inter Milan
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Barcelona - Napoli
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Arsenal - Porto
Find us on Instagram
at @feedimo to stay up to date with the latest.
Featured Video You Might Like
zWJ3MxW_HWA L1eLanNeZKg i1XRgbyUtOo -g9Qziqbif8 0vmRhiLHE2U JFCZUoa6MYE UfN5PCF5EUo 2PV55f3-UAg W3y9zuI_F64 -7qCxIccihU pQ9gcOoH9R8 g5MRDEXRk4k
Copyright © 2020 Feedimo. All Rights Reserved.