Downing Street accused of ‘surrendering to Europe’ after fresh delay in announcing No Deal Brexit tariffs
DOWNING STREET was accused of “surrendering to Europe” after a fresh delay to an announcement on No Deal tariffs.
Sources claimed the long-awaited details of proposed import duties for foreign goods had been postponed AGAIN – and would not now come this week.
The plans could even be delayed until after the PM’s crunch Commons showdown on her Brexit deal – which is likely to come on March 12.
Insiders said the details of the tariff plan had been agreed by Cabinet Ministers with duties likely on beef, lamb, car parts and ceramics.
One had expected the announcement on Monday.
But No.10 is said to be worried about upsetting Brussels by revealing its plans with negotiations over the Irish backstop at such a delicate stage.
One source said: “There will be nothing this week. It’s been delayed again.”
Eurosceptics ripped into No.10 and said negotiators were missing a gilt-edged chance to get tough with Brussels by showing them how expensive EU exports to Britain could turn out to be in the event of a No Deal.
'RUNNING SCARED OF EU'
Arch Brexiteer Steve Baker said: “I’m horrified that once again Government has missed an opportunity to give the public certainty while advancing our negotiating position.
“To fail to publish our no deal tariff schedules suggests Government is once again running scared of the EU.”
Some claimed there was a risk the delays to publishing the WTO tariffs could mean it is too late to get them through the Commons by March 29.
But Whitehall officials are understood to have dismissed the claim.
The Sun last month revealed the tariff plan was being held up by rows between Environment Secretary Michael Gove and the Treasury.
The Treasury was concerned that high tariffs could push up the cost of the weekly shop.
Former Fisheries Minister George Eustice told Sky on Sunday that the Government had agreed to “tariff suspension” for goods that Britain’s doesn’t produce – such as citrus.
But he added: “We will also put in place tariffs to protect some of those sensitive sectors including beef, including sheep and possibly some of the dairy sectors as well.”
No.10 declined to comment.
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