Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said British businesses will be supported to trade freely as she takes action on practices that undercut fair trade, such as the dumping of cheap goods into the UK.
The government announced immediate action by the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), the body responsible for defending the UK against certain unfair international trade practices.
The Chancellor also announced her intention to review the customs treatment of Low Value Imports, which allows goods valued at £135 or less to be imported without paying customs duty.
Major UK retailers have called on the government to amend the customs treatment, arguing that it disadvantages them by allowing international companies to undercut them.
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
‘There are still many twists and turns to go in the trade war between the US and China. It remains to be seen whether cheap Chinese goods will flood the UK as a result.
‘But the risk is present. It is sensible for the TRA to have all the necessary tools and resources to take action to prevent the UK being swamped with unfairly cheap products.
‘If domestic production suffers from a surge in imports or dumping of goods it is right that business has clearer access to make their case to the TRA. It must have the resources it needs to enforce a level playing field.’
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