BCC Press Release: Businesses eager for tariff advice

More than 650 businesses have attended a webinar held by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) to get more detail on US tariffs. 

Business West is working closely with British Chambers of Commerce on US tariffs, and we were pleased to see some of our customers at the webinar.

The online event, held before last night’s events, was hosted by the BCC and included input from specialist advisors at the Government’s Department for Business and Trade. 

Businesses were encouraged to get continued support and advice from the 51 accredited chambers across the UK, including Business West.

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:

“We wanted to get under the skin of the issues for business, talk about the practical implications for them and explore how the current issues might be resolved. 

“Firms heard what tariffs would apply sector by sector, the key timelines and any exemptions. 

“They also had questions answered on the tariff treatment for goods leaving UK ports compared to those coming from customs warehousing in the US. 

“And we looked at how the tariffs will affect goods with components from several countries, and how rules of origin – what percentage of a product comes from different countries, will impact the duties paid in the US. 

“Overall, it was a practical, focused session providing firms with the guidance and answers they need now.  

“It demonstrated the BCC’s central role in facilitating £16bn of UK international trade each year and how focused we are on helping businesses through this new age of uncertainty.  

“UK firms have the resilience and agility to get through this period and, with the right support from the Chamber Network and Government, carry on trading with key markets like the US.”