UK Eyes Cuts to Food Tariffs in Trade Talks With Gulf Nations
- Talks begin for pact between UK and Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE
- Trade deal could lead to tariff reductions on cereals, salmon
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The UK is seeking to slash tariffs on food exports to countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in negotiations for a free trade deal with Gulf nations that start on Wednesday.
Talks for a deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which also includes Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman could “significantly reduce or remove tariffs” on UK food and drink exports to the region, worth £625 million ($767 million) last year, the Department for International Trade said late Tuesday in a statement. That could include cutting tariffs on cereals, chocolate, baking products, biscuits and smoked salmon, it said.