The UK remove import duties on dozens of goods for two years
The British government has unveiled a plan to suspend customs duties on a wide range of imported goods for two years, in an effort to mitigate the repercussions of trade tensions that have escalated in recent years, particularly following the protectionist policies pursued by former US President Donald Trump.
According to the official announcement, duties will be reduced to zero on 89 products, including electric car batteries and fruit juices, as well as other products such as aluminum and key battery components.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that this measure will extend until July 2027, describing the decision as necessary to address the current economic conditions and support the domestic market.
The list of duty-free goods includes agave syrup used in the food industry, pasta, canned pineapple, pine nuts, coconut oil, and some plants and flowers.
It’s also worth noting that these reductions don’t include products that already enjoy exemptions under free trade agreements.
Some of these goods were previously subject to duties ranging from 2% for industrial raw materials to 30% for some imported food products.
In the same context, Britain announced the postponement of the ban on the sale of fuel-burning cars (gasoline and diesel) to 2035 instead of 2030.
This comes after Jaguar Land Rover stopped exporting its vehicles to the United States, a market that generates more than £6.5 billion annually for the company.
It’s noteworthy that the Trump administration had previously imposed 10% tariffs on imports from several countries, including the UK, with an additional 25% tariff on cars, one of Britain’s most important exports to the US market.
