Fri, 24 Jan 2025

UK has not ruled out EU food trade deal, says minister

Jonathan Reynolds told the BBC doing a deal to ease UK exports of food would not cross the government's red lines

* The UK may adopt EU rules on food and farm products to regain frictionless access to European markets, according to Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
* This would involve mirroring EU standards in exchange for lowering all trade barriers.
* Reynolds said this approach wouldn't breach government red lines, citing a "twin-track strategy" on trade that combines improved terms with the EU and closer links worldwide.
* The UK Labour party had campaigned on similar policies during last year's election.
* A dynamic alignment agreement, where the UK follows changing EU rules, could help remove barriers in the sector, according to the EU.
* Reynolds met EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic at Davos, where they discussed a veterinary agreement with dynamic alignment and a pan-European customs plan.
* These ideas don't cross government red lines, said Reynolds.
* However, some Conservative MPs are opposing any potential deal that involves closer ties with the EU.
* Meanwhile, Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey is calling for a proper UK-EU customs arrangement to strengthen trade negotiations.
* The UK is also preparing its case to avoid US tariffs on exports, as President Donald Trump suggests the world may have to pay trillions of dollars to access American markets.
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