Taiwan (Hansard, 27 March 2000)

§ Mr. Byers

The Office of Science and Technology attaches importance to facilitating civil scientific co-operation between the UK and Taiwan. A number of visits have recently been made by officials from Taiwan's National Science Council to discuss aspects of UK civil science policy. Dr. Jenn-Tai Hwang, Chairman of the National Science Council, will visit London in May this year.

These contacts, and the work of staff in the British Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei to promote science and technology links, should raise the profile of UK science in Taiwan, and will help UK companies and the science base to gain access to Taiwanese innovation and technology.

US imports from the UK
Description	US tariff code	1998 (£ million)	1999 (£ million)	Percentage change 1998–99	Absolute change (£ million)
Batteries	85072080	10.80	3.75	-65.3	-7.0
Bath oils	33073050	4.76	1.17	-75.5	-3.6
Lithographs	49119120	2.56	0.91	-64.3	-1.6
Bed linen	63022190	0.34	0.06	-82.0	-0.3
Cartons	48192000	1.19	0.79	-33.6	-0.4
Coffee makers	85167100	0.62	0.25	-60.2	-0.4
Wallets	42023210	0.17	0.07	-61.2	-0.1
Handbags	42022215	0.01	0.01	-12.2	0.0
Felt paper	48055000	0.00	0.00	—	—
Total	—	20.44	7.00	-66.0	-13.4

Source:

US International Trade Commission website. Converted to £ sterling using average sterling/dollar rates for each year.

ONS Economic Trends

The actual impact on UK companies in the targeted sectors will depend on a number of factors, including the length of time that the retaliatory measures remain in place, and the ability of affected companies to find alternative customers for their goods. However, I have received many representations from UK companies affected by the US retaliation. Taking into account these representations and the above data, my assessment is that there is a real risk of damage to UK companies in terms of lost trade and jobs.