It has come to light that the United Kingdom’s decision to suspend tariffs on tuna imports is not exclusive to the Maldives but applies to all countries exporting tuna to the UK. Information from the UK Department for Business and Trade confirms that this tariff suspension is not a special concession granted to any single nation but is part of a broader initiative affecting all tuna-importing countries.

The UK government stated that the purpose of this change is to reduce the financial strain on households in the face of rising living costs. The suspension, which will be implemented in the coming weeks, covers tuna, fruits, fruit juices, pasta, and couscous, and will remain in effect until December 31, 2028.

This move has faced criticism within the Maldives, with some arguing that it does not represent a diplomatic achievement for the government.

In an interview, British Ambassador to the Maldives Nick Low explained that although the tariff reduction applies globally, the Maldives stands to benefit significantly. He mentioned that under WTO rules, Maldives is classified as a middle-income country, which meant Maldivian tuna previously faced a 20 percent tariff when entering the UK market. Removing this tariff greatly improves the competitiveness of Maldivian fish.

“The reason we didn’t cut tariffs for a specific country is because WTO regulations don’t allow it,” the ambassador clarified.

Low also noted that British consumers have a strong preference for Maldivian tuna, and despite the high tariff, the Maldives exports around GBP 17 million worth of fish to the UK each year. He added that the tariff suspension was the result of extensive cooperation between the two governments.

Prior to this change, countries like Ecuador, Mauritius, and Seychelles already exported tuna duty-free to the UK through their free trade agreements. With the new suspension, Maldivian tuna can now compete on equal terms with these nations in the UK market.