A massive new trade deal between the UK and India could bring an end to irritating spam texts from Indian senders, the government has said.
Prices on items like clothes, shoes and frozen prawns could also drop for British shoppers as a result of the new agreement.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed it as a ‘landmark deal’ which will ‘grow the economy and deliver for British people and business’.
It represents the ‘biggest and most economically significant bilateral trade deal’ for the UK since Brexit, according to the Department of Business and Trade.
The department said the agreement included ‘new commitments’ to ‘help protect consumers from spam texts from India’, which could mean recipients are able to opt out or give prior consent.
India is the world’s most populous country, and among the world’s fastest-growing economies.
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The country’s tariffs on whisky and gin from the UK will be slashed from 150% to 75% while the tariffs on cars will fall from more than 100% to 10%.
Cosmetics, aerospace, lamb, medical devices, salmon, electrical machinery, soft drinks, chocolate, and biscuits are among the other British products that will have their Indian tariffs cut.
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The announcement comes after years of negotiations, which took on a new urgency when Donald Trump introduced broad tariffs on imports to the US from every country in the world in April.
The US President also brought in 25% tariffs on car imports, putting significant pressure on the UK’s automotive industry which deals heavily across the Atlantic.
While the lowering of vehicle tariffs in the India agreement may be welcomed by the sector, it is subject to a quota.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: ‘This government’s number one mission is growing the economy as part of our Plan for Change so we can put more money in people’s pockets.
‘By striking a new trade deal with the fastest-growing economy in the world, we are delivering billions for the UK economy and wages every year and unlocking growth in every corner of the country, from advanced manufacturing in the North East to whisky distilleries in Scotland.
‘In times of global uncertainty, a pragmatic approach to global trade that provides businesses and consumers with stability is more important than ever.’
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