GENEVA (Reuters) - British exports to the European Union could fall by as much as 14% if the two sides are unable to strike a free trade deal and could be 9% lower even if an agreement is reached, a United Nations study found.
The imposition of tariffs under a no-deal scenario would crimp trade, with the effect amplified by so-called non-tariff measures (NTMs) such as quotas, licensing and regulatory measures protecting health, safety and the environment.
NTMs would double the negative impact of tariffs and could lead to an overall $32 billion hit to British exports, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) study released on Tuesday.
The agriculture, food and beverages, and wood and paper sectors seem particularly exposed, it found, with a weaker impact on electrical and machinery, metal products, chemicals, and textiles and apparel.
NTMs affect more than 80% of trade in developed counties and more than 90% in the European Union, it noted.
Britain left the EU in January and aims to negotiate a deal on future relations by the end of this year, when the Brexit transition period expires.
Even if a "standard" free trade agreement emerged from the talks, British exports to the EU could still drop by 9%, dealing a major economic blow as the single market absorbs 46% of Britain's sales abroad, it said.
"EU membership has its advantages to deal with non-tariff measures that even the most comprehensive agreement cannot replicate," UNCTAD's director of international trade, Pamela Coke-Hamilton, said in a statement.
In a no-deal scenario, Ireland's exports to the United Kingdom are expected to drop 10% as a result of non-tariff measures and tariffs, the study based on 25 years of data found.
On the other hand, exports from developing countries into Britain and to a smaller extent into the EU could increase if Britain does not increase tariffs for third countries, it added.
The study did not estimate the impact of a "soft" exit scenario that largely maintains the status quo, saying much depends on the details of the relationship that results.
Britain has said it wants a Canada-style trade deal with the EU, but the EU has said this would require Britain to accept a level playing field in areas from state aid to taxation.
Britain has said that it does not want regulatory alignment with the bloc and that this was not what the EU demanded of Canada for a free trade deal.