EU commerce chief: Bloc could think about UK becoming a member of pan-Europe customs scheme

EU commerce chief: Bloc could think about UK becoming a member of pan-Europe customs scheme

The European Union’s new commerce chief accountable for post-Brexit negotiations has informed the BBC {that a} “pan-European [customs] space is one thing we may think about” as a part of “reset” discussions between the UK and EU.

Maros Sefcovic referred to the concept of the UK becoming a member of the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Conference (PEM).

These are widespread guidelines that permit components, components and supplies for manufacturing provide chains to be sourced from throughout dozens of nations in Europe and North Africa for use in tariff-free commerce.

The Conservatives didn’t pursue PEM as a part of its post-Brexit deal however some companies mentioned it could assist the UK rejoin complicated provide chains which were hit by customs boundaries.

Talking on the World Financial Discussion board in Davos, Mr Sefcovic mentioned the concept has not been “exactly formulated” by London but and the “ball is within the UK’s courtroom”.

The BBC understands that the UK authorities has begun consultations with enterprise over the advantages of the PEM plan that might assist minimize purple tape and enhance commerce. No closing resolution has been made but.

Mr Sefcovic additionally mentioned {that a} full-scale veterinary settlement that helped cut back frictions on farm and meals commerce must also be reviewed.

Single market remedy for UK meals and farm exports would imply “we must have the identical guidelines and we now have to improve them on the similar time, we name it dynamic alignment”, he informed me.

The EU-UK fisheries deal can be as a consequence of expire subsequent yr. “An answer for fisheries is essential for the EU, once more, we communicated this on a number of events,” Mr Sefcovic mentioned.

Mr Sefcovic additionally mentioned he was shocked that the European Fee’s supply on youth exchanges had been “spun”. “It isn’t freedom of motion. It is a bridge-building proposal.

“We don’t wish to appear to be the demanders right here, as a result of we imagine that is good for the UK,” he mentioned

The commerce commissioner mentioned UK-EU relations have been “positively” in a greater place and his British counterpart Nick Thomas-Symonds was “on velocity dial”.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will attend a defence and safety centered EU summit subsequent month.

In addition to relations with the UK, Mr Sefcovic acknowledged that the EU wanted to be “extraordinarily cautious and accountable” in addressing commerce with the Trump administration in Washington however mentioned he was keen to barter.

He added that whereas the EU did have a surplus in items comparable to vehicles, the US had a surplus in companies

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