UKLA President’s Report What is the purpose of tariffs?
For fledgling organisations working in embryonic industries then tariffs can help protect these types of sectors while these organisations build their strength to be able to compete on equal terms with international competitors.
However, for mature organisations operating in mature markets they could have the opposite effect of discouraging competition. Indeed, for companies operating in mature markets, they can create inefficiencies in the balance between supply and demand. They can also encourage inefficiency within organisations hiding behind a protective tariff barrier.
Tariffs discourage free trade and as a form of protectionism they simply don’t work over the long term.
Certainly, in the short term they could help companies to improve their profitability within domestic markets, but as soon as retaliatory tariff measures are brought in by overseas governments this competitive advantage is soon be eroded.
At the final hurdle the cost of any tariff measures is borne ultimately by the consumer who pays a higher price for their imported goods while the exporter could struggle to reclaim much-needed markets in light of higher costs, higher prices and eroding market share.
UEIL President’s Report
Summer is just around the corner, and I hope you are all heading into the warmer months with renewed energy and optimism. Personally, I feel especially invigorated following a busy and productive period at UEIL. In March, we had the pleasure of welcoming representatives of the EU institutions and of the European lubricants industry at the inaugural UEIL event in the European Parliament in Brussels.
Hosted by MEP Massimiliano Salini (Vice Chair of the largest political group in the European Parliament, EPP), our event served as a powerful reminder of the enduring value of democracy, civic engagement, and proactive industry participation. It also provided an important opportunity to initiate dialogue with the REACH expert from the European Commission’s DG GROW. We are hopeful that this initial exchange will mark the beginning of a constructive and long-standing relationship between our industry and the European Commission as it undertakes the revision of the REACH regulation.
On our side, the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) committee has been diligently working to develop our
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Free trade has served globalised industries and multinational companies well over the past 80 years. They have brought rising standards of living in mature economies and greater purchasing power amongst consumers.
The standard of life now enjoyed by many economies in the western hemisphere is far above that enjoyed by our parents or our grandparents. Moves to undermine these standards ultimately come at the detriment of consumers’ well-being, and their quality of life.
That is why the United Kingdom Lubricants Association champions free trade across all markets for the benefit of our end users in choice, quality, service, through creating level playing fields where all companies compete equally.
It is only through free trade that economies can continue to grow, and consumers can continue to enjoy high standards of living.
You can’t tax your way to growth. Successive governments have tried this in the past and their efforts are written in the annals of history.
Mike Bewsey, UKLA President
position on this important file, culminating in the publication of a position paper outlining our key policy recommendations.
In recent months, it has not only been nature that is flourishing— the European institutions appear equally re-energised. The European Commission has launched several significant policy consultations, including those related to the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER) and the Bioeconomy Strategy. In response, our dedicated committees have been working meticulously to provide input and guidance. Meanwhile, the European Parliament continues its legislative activity, most notably through the recent adoption of a resolution on energy-intensive industries and the ongoing preparation of a report addressing the future of EU biotechnology and biomanufacturing.
I look forward to maintaining this spirit of collaboration and progress as we move into the summer months.
Mattia Adani, UEIL President
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.187 JUNE 2025
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