EU and international briefing

In a speech at the Atlantic Council in Washington last week Carolyn set out the CBI’s vision for a UK-US Trade deal, outlining the need for a deal that delivers for business and is compatible with a close trading relationship with the EU. The CBI is well placed to influence on both sides of the Atlantic and we will be publishing a paper outlining business priorities for the trade deal later this month. Get involved.

The government took another a big step towards launching an independent trade policy with the announcement that it would consult on a new UK Global Tariff for imports. This will replace the present EU system of import tariffs at the end of transition. The CBI has argued consistently for business to have a full say on UK’s future import tariffs and is encouraging members to shape the CBI’s submission to the consultation by 5 March.

The government also announced plans on 10 February to create ‘up to ten’ Freeports – which aim to boost location by creating special economic zones with special tariff and tax privileges. Once the 10-week consultation is complete, the Government will invite sea, air and rail ports to bid for Freeport status on a competitive basis.

Meanwhile, with just weeks to go until formal negotiations between the UK and the EU begin, both sides published their opening mandates last week. The CBI was quick to provide members with our analysis of what this means for business.

The CBI was clear in our response to government that, with business optimism returning, the right signals about the UK’s future relationship with the EU can turn that confidence into investment. The Prime Minister’s commitment to global free trade and maintaining high standards through a thriving relationship with the EU will help. But the challenge will be to ensure that business confidence does not get caught in the crossfire of a tough, public negotiation. Talk of a bare bones deal risks pausing investment, so the government must take every opportunity to show ambition throughout the negotiations. This will require building a deal with deep mutual market access while keeping business insight at the heart of their decisions.

Dates for your diary

Government Affairs Network - London, 18 March

Just one week after the government’s first Budget, the CBI will be offering the latest analysis alongside CBI Chief UK Policy Director Matthew Fell, CBI Director of Economic Policy Annie Gascoyne and CBI Director of Campaigns John Foster.

CBI Conference Series: International Trade - London, 24 March

Join us for the first ever CBI London International Trade Conference. Hear the latest insights from leading speakers including Karen Betts, CEO, Scotch Whisky Association and Chris Manson, CEO, Newable. Understand emerging trends in international trade and how your business can equip itself to deal with the challenges and opportunities.

Recent engagement

• Following the publication of UK and EU’s negotiating mandates, our Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland teams held meetings with Nicola Sturgeon, Ian Blackford, Simon Hart, Julian Smith and Jeffrey Donaldson to discuss the CBI’s response
• Carolyn has been in Brussels for meetings with BUSINESSEUROPE, Phil Hogan, EU Trade Commissioner; and Didier Seeuws, Chief Negotiator, EU Council Special Taskforce
• Carolyn has held meetings with Ed Lister, Chief Strategic Adviser to the PM; Chancellor Sajid Javid; and Andrea Leadsom, Secretary of State for Business over the past few weeks to discuss the CBI’s view of the next phase of negotiations
• Carolyn visit Washington DC for the B7 (the meeting of leading business organisations which supports the G7 groups of leading industrial nations where she met key players for a future US-UK trade deal Chair of the President’s National Economic Council, Deputy US Trade Representative, Chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee.