TNAG-0045-FCO40-81-Britain-s-entry-into-EEC-effect-on-trade-with-Hong-Kong-1967 — Page 74

CONFIDENTIAL

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(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTARCHOVERNMENT)

CMV(67)10 FINAL

21 June, 1967

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VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF SINGAPORE

BRITAIN AND THE E.E.C.

Note by the Commonwealth Office

A. Background Brief

The effect on Singapore of British Entry

into E.E.C. without Safeguards

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In 1965, Singapore's total exports amounted to £350.5m.,

of which £22.3m. or 6.4% cane to Britain, and £22.0m. or 6.3%

to the E.E.C. By far the largest single item in each of these

two figures was crude rubber, which accounted for £7.8m. of

Singapore's exports to Britain, and £12.6m. of her exports to

the E.E.C. Both the British tariff and the common external

tariff on this product are nil.

2. Most of the rest of Singapore's exports to Britain

miscellaneous collection of manufactured goods and processed

agricultural products - would be directly affected by our entry

into the Community, either by loss of preference or by the

application of the common external tariff. But only a small

percentage of Singapore's total exports would be at risk in

this way.

Singapore should not therefore suffer any significant

reduction in her export earnings as a result of British entry

into the Community.

Singapore in the 1961/63 Negotiations

3.

For most of our then dependent territories, it was agreed

that the appropriate solution would be Association with the

enlarged Community under Part IV of the Treaty of Rome.

However, arrangements were being made at that time for Singapore

CONFIDENTIAL

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