Israel-Arab Feud Harms U.K. Exports
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THE feud between Israel and the
Arab States has caused difficulty for British commercial-vehicle manufacturers. Any maker who gives assistance to an Israeli distributor or assembler may, on information being laid with the Arab League, find that his products are banned throughout the Arab world.
This barrier to international trade falls at a time when British makers are having to meet strenuous competition from overseas. Apart from offering long credit, certain foreign manufacturers are selling vehicles abroad at absurdly low prices and, having entrenched themselves in a market, are recouping their losses by charging excessive prices for spare parts.
In addition, their sales representatives disregard the maximum gross weights specified in data sheets and offer vehicles to carry far greater payloads than those officially recommended. The temptation of low prices and quick profits is too much for some operators to resist.