UKLA President’s Report
Donald Trump’s election or rather re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America has seen promises of an end to war in the Middle-East and Ukraine, as well as the implementation of a series of trade protectionist measures.
In a move which would see the end of the Russia- Ukraine conflict, which is positive, but tariffs on imports of up to 20%, which is not positive, incoming President Trump’s mantra is ‘America First’.
Trade tariffs are in no-one’s best interests. Companies can become bloated and inefficient hiding behind a tariff wall, protectionist measures risk retaliatory moves which would harm exports, and ultimately the consumer pays a higher price for their goods.
Free trade has created an unprecedented economic boom for businesses and their customers, right across the globe. Any tariff war might cause the United Kingdom to lose up to £22bn of GDP if our exports are harmed.
The lubricant sector in the United Kingdom is not self-sufficient in the supply of base oil or additives. We rely on integrated transnational supply chains across Europe, the Middle-East, North America and beyond for our raw materials that together make up finished lubricants.
So UKLA will be lobbying policy officials to put pressure on UK government to avoid a tariff trade war at all costs which hurts our sector, British business, our end users and ultimately the UK economy.
Finally, thank you to all colleagues and guests who joined us on the 13th November at the Annual Dinner to celebrate our industry and the future generation of outstanding Young Employees of the Year.
Mike Bewsey, UKLA President
UEIL President’s Report
As 2024 draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the last 12 months. One of this year’s highlights was gaining third-party certification for the joint UEIL-ATIEL industry-first certification of ‘Methodology for Product Carbon Footprint Calculations for Lubricants, Greases and Other Specialities’. This demonstrates the associations’ ongoing commitment to a greener planet as well as our strong partnership. And where better to announce the certification than at our annual congress in Porto? The three-day event welcomed over 200 guests from around the world and included a memorable keynote speech from Jens Lundsgaard, OECD, and a spectacular gala dinner at the Bolsa Palace.
2024 was a year marked by political change with European elections and a new Commission. To reflect this political renewal and our mission to represent and defend the interests of the independent lubricant operators in Europe and to support informed policy making, UEIL created a Public Affairs Taskforce which
4 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.184 DECEMBER 2024
already achieved a lot. After a series of workshops with our members and partners, we published our policy priorities document Keep Europe Moving, which I look forward to continuing discussing with MEPs and policy makers in 2025.
Political change did not just occur in Europe, but also on the other side of the Atlantic. In the coming years, UEIL must demonstrate its commitment to free trade and strong international partnerships by continuing our collaboration with our American and Asian counterparts, ILMA and ALIA.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year, and I look forward to what 2025 will bring for the lubricants industry.
Mattia Adani, UEIL President
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