Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Grahame Morris (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 12 May 2020 on behalf of the Department for International Trade.

Import of Medical Products

Question

Across the world, we are being advised to wash our hands with soap regularly to keep us safe from the virus, but the average import tariff on soap among WTO members stands at 17%, with some

countries charging tariffs of up to 65%. What steps has the Minister taken to seek global agreement to reduce tariffs on the import of soap and other hygiene products, to combat the spread of covid-19?

Answer: That is a very good question and I thank the hon. Gentleman for asking it. We are working tirelessly, at different international fora, to ensure that trade barriers—either long-standing barriers or ones that have been thrown up as a result of the crisis—are reduced or removed. For example, just last month, at the UK’s initiative, the G20 Trade Ministers met and discussed a lot of these and took significant action. We have also been lobbying bilaterally, most successfully, with India to ensure that such barriers are reduced or removed.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 676 c113
Session: 2019-21
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Procedure: Virtual contributions
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Imports Medical equipment Coronavirus
Link: View this Oral question on hansard.parliament.uk

Import of Medical Products

Secondary information

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