[ti:British Shoemaker Counts Costs of Leaving EU] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]A historic shoe company in Britain is feeling financial pressure [00:05.68]because of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. [00:11.68]One hundred ninety-two-year-old Tricker’s [00:15.44]makes costly shoes and boots that can sell for more than $600. [00:23.12]The company has sold products to everyone [00:26.40]from Prince Charles to shoe fans in Japan. [00:31.28]But, the company director, Martin Mason, [00:34.68]worries about the new price of doing business with the EU. [00:41.00]Costs from companies that ship Tricker’s products [00:44.96]to buyers in the EU are growing. [00:49.36]These extra costs could reach more than $135,000 a year for the company. [00:59.08]The trade deal reached in December of last year [01:02.96]between Britain and the EU avoided costly tariffs. [01:09.56]But Tricker’s is finding that paying the EU’s value-added tax (VAT) [01:17.64]has become a lot more complex for direct sales to shoe buyers. [01:25.28]British exporters must now use different tax rates [01:29.80]for the European Union’s 27 member states. [01:35.12]Tricker’s has permitted shipping companies to collect the tax. [01:41.56]Now, the shippers are seeking extra payments [01:45.72]for each package sent to the EU [01:49.28]from the shoe factory in Northampton. [01:53.88]It is a problem for companies on both sides of the border. [01:59.76]The process is also causing delays in the arrival of goods. [02:06.32]Shipments that used to take one day to arrive [02:10.08]are now taking three or four. [02:14.04]Also, when the shippers make mistakes, [02:17.36]it causes more delays and paperwork. [02:22.04]Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said [02:25.40]the recent problems with trade are small [02:29.08]and to be expected under a new system. [02:33.96]Johnson points to the possibility for export growth [02:38.48]if Britain gets trade deals with the United States, [02:42.80]India and other countries. [02:46.72]Adding to Tricker’s problems are VAT costs [02:50.84]from shipping companies for shoes [02:53.56]returned to its base in Northampton. [02:58.36]Some wholesalers, businesses that sell to other businesses, [03:03.60]are sending the shoes back. [03:07.56]So are EU customers in need of shoe repairs. [03:13.80]The expected Brexit-related costs of about $136,690 a year [03:23.84]would be equal to almost 10 percent of Tricker’s online sales. [03:31.28]This in turn represents about 15 percent [03:35.68]of total profit at Tricker’s, Mason said. [03:40.60]Brexit refers to Britain officially ending its EU membership, [03:46.64]a move that took place one year ago. [03:51.48]The new taxes have led the company to raise prices [03:56.04]for EU customers and pay the rest of the costs from its profits. [04:02.96]“I think all companies here in the UK [04:06.52]are getting extra costs as a result of the deal,” Mason said. [04:13.40]Mason spoke to Reuters news agency [04:16.64]from an empty shop floor in the factory. [04:21.44]Normally, 86 employees would produce 1,000 pairs of shoes a week. [04:30.84]Last year, during the first stay-at-home orders, [04:34.92]was the first time they had ever been closed, he said. [04:40.88]“We’ve been through...world wars, financial crises, [04:45.48]stock market crashes,” said Mason. [04:50.08]“Even during the world wars, we were open, [04:53.52]making boots for the army,” he said. [04:58.40]Dealing with Brexit and the coronavirus combined [05:02.68]has made things much harder. [05:06.36]“We will get through it. It will be tough," he said. [05:11.84]British government budget experts say the country’s economy [05:17.00]could be about four percent smaller under Brexit in 15 years’ time. [05:24.36]However, Mason said Brexit has led [05:28.48]to a few good possibilities for his company, [05:32.08]which exports about 85 percent of its shoes. [05:38.44]An agreement with Japan would be a help [05:41.96]and an agreement with the United States might lower import tariffs. [05:48.44]Japanese customers make up more than 30 percent of Tricker’s business. [05:55.80]About 15 percent comes from the EU. [06:00.68]But for now, Mason’s immediate need is to deal with the VAT issues. [06:08.00]He said he hopes that common sense wins [06:12.00]and that the problems of getting products into Europe will be solved. [06:18.32]“It is a bit of a barrier to recovery” after COVID, he said. [06:24.16]“But... if wise heads get together and solve some of these issues, [06:30.12]then hopefully it will become easier.” [06:33.76]I’m Alice Bryant. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM