EU and International Update

Against a backdrop of heightened speculation of a ‘no deal’ outcome in the UK-EU trade talks and continuous rolling negotiating deadlines, last week the CBI and BusinessEurope issued a joint statement urging collaboration and pragmatism from both sides to secure a deal.  

As the talks continue in Brussels this week, through both private engagement and public interventions, the CBI is continuing to stress the importance of securing a deal, while also highlighting the need for easements to support businesses at the end of the transition period.  

The CBI meets senior officials in Downing Street and Brussels this week

This week, the CBI will be meeting with senior Cabinet Ministers and Downing Street officials alongside key contacts in Brussels, urging both sides to secure an agreement and to also work to help businesses prepare for the changes coming on 1 January. Through the Brexit Business Taskforce weekly meeting, and direct resources into the cabinet office, the CBI are feeding in your latest business insight, so please continue to share your concerns directly so the CBI can continue to highlight what is happening on the ground and make the case loudly and clearly for key facilitations to manage the transition ahead.   

Alongside this political engagement, the CBI’s also helping members to prepare for the new UK-EU trading relationship whatever the outcome of the talks. 

UK Transition Hub

Through the UK Transition Hub, the CBI has compiled a suite of resources to help inform your businesses’ Brexit preparations, which are available to share widely with suppliers and customers as necessary.  

The hub is designed to help businesses of every shape and size prepare for the end of transition, including briefings, timelines and analysis based on the latest guidance. As we approach the final days of the transition period, this resource will be kept up to date with the latest insight, intelligence and information you need to inform your preparations. 

Whatever happens in the talks over the coming days, the CBI will be active over the Christmas period to support members. This will include the CBI EU Negotiations inbox, which will be monitored every day, excluding Christmas day, daily updates on the UK Transition Hub, regular email summaries of the latest intelligence and insight and continuing conversations with senior figures in government

Rest of World 

On RoW trade, a big focus has been on rollover agreements with the 1st January deadline looming. Positive news has been trickling through recently with Mexico, Singapore, and Vietnam being secured. The CBI recommends that members keep an eye on the Canada situation, where the continuity deal wasn’t ratified in time in the Canadian Parliament and a bridging mechanism is being explored. In a no deal scenario, there’s also a question around the UK implementing the UK Global Tariff on imports, which would add more difficulty in an already chaotic situation. We have heard nothing to suggest a reversion to the no deal tariff schedules draw up last year, but one to watch. 

More widely, The CBI India team will be supporting the PM’s visit next month, while CBI Washington continue to develop plans for 2021 and early engagement with the new administration.  

Upcoming events

Political Briefings: join the CBI’s Campaigns and UK-EU Negotiations teams for an exclusive look at the latest political insight and an update on the UK’s trading relationship with the EU. 

Get Involved

How is Brexit uncertainty impacting your business? Want to share how you’re being affected by Brexit? The CBI is constantly communicating the latest insight to the highest levels of government and is actively influencing the government’s preparations. Get in touch to share what you’re experiencing and what you want to see done about it. 

Help develop CBI positioning on CPTPP: The government is pressing ahead with plans to agree to the trade agreement covering 11 countries, and the CBI wants to hear from members about where the opportunities lie, and where carveouts may be needed. 

Insight and analysis

UK-EU negotiations: what is the impact on trade in services? Understand what we can expect to see in a deal scenario, and how to prepare for the end of transition – regardless of the outcome of the negotiations. 

Moving goods from GB to Northern Ireland post-Brexit: key questions and resources: Key questions for your business to consider alongside other resources to help you plan for the end of the UK’s post-Brexit transition period. 

To the point: the employer guide to the UK's new points-based immigration system: Prepare for the UK’s new immigration system with business-focused guidance from the CBI and Deloitte.

Westminster update: As we approach the end of the year, the CBI is continuing to use its engagement with political stakeholders to support members through the immediate challenges they’re facing.