General

Britain will further cut import duties on hundreds of products from developing countries in an effort to boost trade links. The Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which will be implemented in January next year, covers 65 developing countries. Goods not widely produced in the UK, such as clothing, shoes and food, will all benefit from lower or zero tariffs.

The British BBC reported that thousands of products from developing countries can already be exported to the UK with zero tariffs, and the new plan will benefit about 99% of African products exported to the UK.

The Department for International Trade said the move was part of a broader effort to drive prosperity through trade, help eradicate poverty and reduce reliance on aid.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Secretary of State for International Trade, pointed out that as an independent trading nation, the UK is redesigning trade policy and all decisions will be aimed at supporting UK businesses, helping to reduce the cost of living and supporting development around the world China's economy. "British businesses will face less red tape and lower costs, which will incentivize businesses to import from developing countries," she said.

According to reports, in the 65 developing countries covered by the plan, many goods from textiles to fruit can be sold to the UK with lower or zero tariffs, thus making these products more competitive in the market.

The new tariff scheme removes seasonal tariffs on some agricultural products such as cucumbers, which cannot be grown in the UK in winter, so most countries under the scheme can export to the UK at zero tariffs during this period. At the same time, the plan also simplifies some trade rules, such as the rules of origin that products must be produced in the country of origin. These changes are estimated to save importers millions of pounds.

The UK's new tariff plan underscores the government's policy of using trade as a substitute for aid at a time when aid to developing countries is dwindling. Mohammed Jabbar, managing director of Bangladeshi textile company DBL Group, said the new tariff plan was a "game changer" for his company. "(These changes) mean that we can source cotton from more countries than before, making the cotton industry more competitive and our supply chain more resilient."