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Britain vows to temporarily scrap import tariffs on 87 per cent of imports in event of no-deal Brexit

  • Move, set to last up to 12 months, is aimed at avoiding a jump in prices of EU imports for consumers and a disruption of supply chains

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Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May speaking at the start of the debate on the second meaningful vote on the government’s Brexit deal. Photo: AFP
Agencies

Britain said it would eliminate import tariffs on a wide range of goods and avoid a so-called hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The government announced the moves, which it said would be temporary, ahead of a vote by lawmakers early Thursday Hong Kong time on whether Britain should leave the European Union without a deal, a prospect that alarms many employers with the scheduled March 29 Brexit date fast approaching.

Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a second, heavy parliamentary defeat on the withdrawal deal she struck with the bloc on Tuesday, leaving open the possibility of an abrupt, economically damaging Brexit without a transition arrangement.

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However, lawmakers were expected to vote against a no-deal Brexit and then, on Thursday, vote in favour of seeking a delay to Brexit.

May said such an extension would be short, and that it risked a new cliff-edge in June, suggesting the British government was looking at a three-month delay.

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