JACOB Rees-Mogg is backing calls for costly trade barriers to be eliminated in a bid to reduce costs for consumers.
The new Brexit Opportunities Minister has welcomed a report which demands the lifting of regulatory — or non-tariff — barriers.
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Mr Rees-Mogg said they are “the delight of protectionists and should be removed where possible”.
From next year, all EU goods heading to the UK must be certified with a UKCA regulatory mark.
Such non-tariff barriers can add costs of 20 per cent on imported goods.
Victoria Hewson, author of the Institute of Economic Affairs report, said its proposals would “bolster the UK’s status as a free trading nation”.
She said: “The UK has an opportunity to lead the world with a radical trade policy of recognising regulations, without requiring reciprocity, starting with the EU.
“This will transform the UK’s trade policy, ensuring goods which emulate our own standards are traded freely into the UK without unnecessary regulatory barriers.”
