§ Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will list the countries outside the European Economic Community that maintain high tariff barriers or import controls against British products; and if he will list those product ranges where in his view there are grounds for seeking reduction of tariff barriers.
§ Mr. Peter Rees:There are many developed and developing countries outside the European Community where imports of some British goods are impeded by high tariffs, non-tariff barriers and other import restrictions and it would not be practicable to list them. As far as those countries which are contracting parties to the GATT are concerned, the European Community sought reductions in tariff barriers on a wide range of products in the Tokyo roung of GATT multilateral trade negotiations. The resulting tariff reductions are generally being implemented in eight annual stages between 1980 and 1987. The White Paper, Cmnd. 7724, describing the outcome of these negotiations refers to some products and markets where tariffs are being so reduced, but further reductions would naturally be welcome to United Kingdom exporters. Such further reductions would, however, require reciprocal tariff reductions by the European Community, and a further round of tariff negotiations is not at present in prospect.