UK, US associations call for removal of chemical tariffs

London – With the US and the UK entering formal trade negotiations on 5 May, chemical industries of the two countries have called for the 'full and immediate' elimination of tariffs on chemicals. 

As a starting point for negotiations, the WTO Chemical Tariff Harmonization Agreement (CTHA) forms the foundation for trade in chemicals and plastics. The CTHA harmonises the tariff rates of its participating members at levels ranging from 0.0% to 6.5%.

In a joint statement 11 May, the UK Chemical Industries Association (CIA) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) said they backed "full, immediate tariff elimination for chapters 28-39 of the harmonised system... without staging of tariff reductions or transition periods."

The chemicals trade between the two countries totalled $5.3 billion (€4.8 billion) in 2019. The UK imported $2.8 billion worth of chemicals from the US, while the US imports of chemicals from the UK stood at $2.5 billion last year.

According to the statement, a trade agreement that eliminates tariffs could save up to $76 million per year for US importers and $84 million for UK importers. 

The two trade bodies also voiced their support for rules of origin that are “clear, simple, and transparent.” 

This, the statement said, will reduce transaction times and costs to the maximum extent possible. 

In addition, the two associations called for regulatory cooperation which would prevent barriers to trade, align regulatory procedures, and create efficiency gains for the supply chain. 

A UK-US trade agreement, the statement added, will keep existing regulatory regimes concerning chemical substances in place, while opening new avenues for cooperation between regulators. 

“A trade agreement between the UK and the US will help ensure both countries maintain critical market access during this unprecedented and challenging time,” said CIA chief executive Steve Elliott.

Also commenting on the agreement, ACC president and CEO Chris Jahn said free trade deals open new markets and maximise speed and efficiency. 

“A US-UK trade agreement presents an opportunity to leverage the highly integrated and efficient nature of our chemical manufacturing supply chains,” he added.