Level Playing Field For UK Trade Is Vital 

23rd April 2025

British Chambers of Commerce responds to the Government’s proposals for the Trade Remedies Authority

Responding to the Government’s proposals for the Trade Remedies Authority and changes to customs charges for low value imports, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 

“There are still many twists and turns to go in the trade war between the US and China. It remains to be seen whether cheap Chinese goods will flood the UK as a result.

“But the risk is present. It is sensible for the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) to have all the necessary tools and resources to take action to prevent the UK being swamped with unfairly cheap products. 

“If domestic production suffers from a surge in imports or dumping of goods it is right that business has clearer access to make their case to the TRA. It must have the resources it needs to enforce a level playing field.  

“Proposals on charging levies for cheaper deliveries of online orders of goods from overseas (de minimis thresholds) are also under various stages of reform by the US and the EU.  

“We will be speaking to Chambers about the implications of this and look forward to engaging in the review. 

“But with economic growth consistently low and trade uncertainty high, we urge government to consider other bold measures. 

“Simplifying rules and processes to make trade easier is vital to weathering the current storm. It should use the EU reset negotiations to remove safety and security declarations for goods and pursue a global pro-growth agenda on trade digitalisation.”