Source : Deloitte
This week’s top 5:
- UK chief negotiator Lord Frost and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier resumed trade negotiations in London this week. Barnier tweeted there are three keys to unlocking a future trade deal which include “…effective governance and enforcement mechanisms between international partners; robust guarantees of free and fair trade & competition based on shared high standards; stable and reciprocal access to markets and fishing opportunities in the interest of both parties.”
- Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke at the weekend to “take stock of the negotiations” with von der Leyen tweeting “some progress has been made, but large differences remain especially on level playing field and fisheries. Our teams will continue working hard next week. We will remain in close contact in the next days.”
- On Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke with President-elect Joe Biden of the United States. They “discussed the close and longstanding relationship between our countries and committed to building on this partnership in the years ahead, in areas such as trade.”
- The UK government launched a new Office for Investment which aims to drive foreign investment into the UK. The Office will seek to attract investment projects that align with UK government priorities such as reaching net zero. International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss said “the Office will build our reputation as a world leader in industries of the future such as tech, services, advanced manufacturing and clean growth.”
- The UK government announced the trade preference scheme for developing countries will continue after the end of the transition period. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said “global Britain is a partner of choice for developing countries. As today’s announcement demonstrates, we [UK government] take a liberal approach to trade, recognising that many developing countries want to trade their way to greater prosperity.
Business
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Trading with non-EU countries
The Department for International Trade released new guidance for businesses trading with non-EU countries from 1 January 2021, the list of countries includes Switzerland, Chile and Morocco.
The provisions of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement have also been outlined for agriculture and food; rules of origin; digital and data; and geographical indications.
Road haulage
On Wednesday, the Freight Transport Association Logistics UK requested the UK government “provide the clarity and systems its members require to prepare for Brexit, so that trade can keep flowing across the UK’s borders after 31 December 2020.”
Elizabeth de Jong, the organisation’s policy director, said “of particular concern are operational barriers and the lack of clarity over trading arrangements between GB and NI.”
