• I WAS surprised to learn that Phil Jones has been in a state of shock since reading my letter of last April 5, (‘Now we get this slap in the face’ – a view from Europe, February 7).

I concede Mr Jones’s assertion that the Generalised System of Preferences can be a “tariff reduction scheme” however, and crucially, this is not a product of European Union enlightenment or compassion. The practice pre-dates the EU and derives from the World Trade Organisation.

The EU is doing no more than following established rules while it does not shrink from imposing tariffs for the benefit of member states.

In 2016 the EU increased the tariff on oranges from 3.2 per cent to 16 per cent for the benefit of Spanish growers to the detriment of those from north Africa – a shocking slap in the face.

This is the iniquity of the customs union where members trade freely between themselves but erect a tariff wall to keep out non-members: “exact same benefits” but for whom?

It is patronising to claim virtuous­ness from EU tariff reduction while trading tariff-free between themselves. A tariff is still a tariff and let’s not forget that the money raised goes to fund the EU.

Now the UK has left the EU we can be fair to the countries that suffer under the sanction of EU tariffs and offer true free trade which has to be a good thing.

STEPHEN SOUTHAM
Mildmay Grove North, N1