Policy briefing: Brexit and EU negotiations

Whilst this month has failed to deliver significant progress on Northern Ireland Protocol talks, UK and EU negotiators have continued to highlight their respective sticking-points. Despite this lack of progress, however, it is now very unlikely that the UK will walk away from the talks by triggering Article 16 of the Protocol before Christmas.

Brexit Minister Lord Frost has expressed concerns over:

• The ongoing fisheries dispute with France
• The UK’s lack of involvement in Horizon Europe
• The continued jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

In response to this, the EU’s chief negotiator Maroš Šefčovič has pointed to the compromises the EU made in its non-papers earlier this year. The EU promised to reduce customs checks between the EU and GB, for example.

The CBI is calling for both sides to resolve these issues so that business can look forward, not back and for both parties to move forward to work together on future opportunities.

The CBI dials up its work with the UK, EU and Member States in this crucial time

The CBI’s Northern Ireland team are continuing to work very closely with business, the EU, Republic of Ireland, Northern Irish and UK governments to ensure a resolution is found to the issues surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol. Through the Northern Ireland Brexit Working group, the CBI has been able to hear the concerns and opportunities of business since the Protocol has come into force and feed these into the UK government and Northern Ireland Executive.

The CBI has been regularly engaging with the lead UK ministers on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and Protocol through the Brexit Business Taskforce. The CBI has been voiced concerns from business around:

• The implementation of the TCA and its readiness across the new introduction of customs controls in January
• The agri-food sectors, and opportunities in product regulations.

The CBI is continuing to push for greater support for business to understand and apply the incoming changes.

In the Europe, CBI President Lord Bilimoria and CBI Europe Director Sean McGuire met the French President Emmanuel Macron while attending BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents in Paris, ahead of the French Presidency of the EU. Presidents of sister federations came together to discuss key issues facing European businesses from supply chain challenges to the global trade agenda. The CBI also met with members of the European Parliament’s delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Assembly to discuss the need to find long-term, sustainable solutions to the Northern Ireland Protocol and issues around the implementation of the TCA.

The CBI has updated its 10 priorities for UK-EU trade after Brexit

The CBI has updated its list of 10 immediate practical actions both sides can take to stabilise relations and strengthen cooperation. Ranging from business to goods travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland – and compiled in consultation with businesses of all sizes, shapes, and sectors.

Get Involved?

The European Trade team at the CBI is currently engaging with members on their preparedness for new customs controls in January next week. If your business is affected by these changes, then please get in touch.