Ms Truss met with key industry figures including the
British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) in Stoke-On-Trent
to discuss how the UK ceramics industry can reap the
rewards of an independent trade policy. The Secretary
of State also visited world renowned ceramics
manufacturer Steelite International.
The Trade Secretary’s discussion with businesses in
Stoke focused on how new trade agreements will benefit
the city, and what measures the government is taking to
ensure local industry is protected from injury caused
by unfair trading practices like dumping, where
overseas firms sell goods to the UK market at below
their fair market price.
The ceramics industry is vital to the UK economy –
employing over 20,000 people – and is one industry that
could benefit from reduced tariffs in a new US-UK free
trade agreement. Currently, the simple average US
tariff on ceramic imports is 6.7%, but for ceramic
tableware tariffs can go as high as 28%. Removing or
lowering these tariffs would be a boost for the
industry.
International Trade Secretary said:
British businesses such as the fantastic ceramics
companies I have visited today have everything to
gain when we leave the EU. They will be able to
realise the brilliant opportunities that will come
from securing new free trade agreements with
countries around the world. And this government will
ensure that UK industries will continue to compete on
a level playing field.
People across the country in towns and cities like
Stoke-on-Trent have put their faith in this
government to deliver Brexit and improve both the
local economy and the level of opportunity available
to them. An independent trade policy that protects
traditional northern industries like ceramics will
help us repay that faith.
The government has already established its own trade
remedies system, currently operating as part of the
department as the Trade Remedies Investigations
Directorate (TRID). TRID will be responsible for
investigating claims of harmful and unfair trading
practices, such as dumping and subsidies after we leave
the EU, protecting various UK industries.
As the UK takes back control of its independent trade
policy, promoting British exports overseas and
protecting key industries like the ceramics sector from
unfair global trading practices remains high on the
government’s agenda.
Dr Laura Cohen MBE, Chief Executive, British Ceramic
Confederation said:
We and our members want to help Government achieve
their ambitious timescale for an UK-EU trade
agreement by the end of the year, as 57% of our
members’ exports are sent to the EU. We appreciate
the opportunity to raise this and other important
issues on trade with the Secretary of State.
Steelite president and CEO Josh Miles said:
I have been in this industry for more than 30 years
and am truly passionate about our employees and
products – which I love taking to markets across the
world.
As Steelite and the ceramics industry look at our
next chapter of global expansion, we welcome the
comments made by the Secretary of State and the
government’s continued support for our industry.
