Future EU-UK partnership

Starting this week in talks on the future of EU-UK relations, the European Producers Association has been urging both sides to reach the most comprehensive agreement possible. The European steel industry, its suppliers and end-users, need smooth trade in a stable environment, mutual market access, a level playing field for competition between competitors, and a reciprocal relationship to regulation, firms, products and people. EUROFER CEO Axel Eggert said: “We welcome the formal start of negotiations, given the importance of protecting the prosperity of citizens and businesses on both sides of the canal. While each party rightfully wants to protect its regulatory autonomy, a deal that ensures a fair, reciprocal and hassle-free trade relationship between the EU and the UK is essential. ”

Maintaining a level playing field and reciprocity should be the guiding principles of negotiations for both parties. EUROFER hopes that the EU and the UK will agree on solutions to ensure the continuity of logistics procedures related to the movement of goods between the two countries. Mutual market access, as well as agreeing on government aid standards, competition policy, state-owned enterprises, employment, the environment, climate change, related tax issues, and other regulatory measures and practices, are vital.

On February 25, the EU published its negotiating mandate, and the UK did the same two days later. During the current transition period, nothing has changed in terms of UK trade relations with the EU. The EU and the UK can agree on an extension, but must do so by July 1 - otherwise the transition ends on December 31, 2020, even if no agreement is reached.