Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2020 to Question 27946 on Generalised System of Preferences, what estimate she has made of the effect of the introduction of the UK Global Tariff in January 2021 on trends in the level of export quantity from countries operating under (a) The General Framework for low and lower-middle income countries that receive the EU’s standard Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), (b) The Enhanced Framework for vulnerable low and lower-middle income countries that are part of the EU’s GSP+ and (c) The Least Developed Country Framework for least developed countries which currently benefit from the EU’s Everything But Arms.

When developing the UK Global Tariff (UKGT), we considered products that are particularly important for developing countries, and where tariffs could be retained to maintain preference margins for developing countries, including those benefitting from Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP). Tariffs have therefore been retained, ensuring continued preferential access for GSP countries, on products that are particularly important for developing countries. For example, tariffs have largely been retained on textiles and apparel, goods which made up almost a third of the United Kingdom's £25 billion of imports from GSP countries in 2019. The United Kingdom GSP ensures that developing countries will continue to have preferential access to the United Kingdom compared to countries facing the UKGT.

To ensure consistency for developing countries after the Transition Period, the United Kingdom GSP will replicate the EU GSP rules of origin where possible. This will include, unilaterally, allowing developing countries to continue to use content originating from the EU in their exports to the UK.

In line with the United Kingdom commitment at the World Trade Organisation to reduce the administrative burden for Least Developed Countries, the United Kingdom GSP will maintain a self-certification proof of origin. HM Revenue and Customs are also considering other methods to streamline customs procedures.