Business secretary hints UK could join European trade area
Business secretary hints UK could join European trade area
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The government has hinted it is open to joining a tariff-free trading scheme as part of its plan to "reset" its relationship with Europe. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds suggested that joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM) could be acceptable as it "is not a customs union".
Politics latest: Minister 'hopes' Southport killer dies in prison. The cabinet minister was speaking to the BBC following a meeting on Thursday with Maros Sefcovic, the EU's trade commissioner responsible for post-Brexit negotiations. Mr Sefcovic had earlier told the broadcaster the EU would consider the UK joining the PEM, which allows for tariff-free trade of goods across Europe as well as some North African and Levantine nations.
Mr Reynolds described his comments as "incredibly positive" and "helpful". He added: "We can improve the terms of trade with the EU in a way which doesn't revisit customs unions or single markets or the arguments of Brexit, and we can do that whilst pursuing closer trade links around the world.".
Mr Reynolds also declined to rule out a deal on food and farm products that would involve mirroring EU rules, known as "dynamic alignment", saying this too didn't cross any of the government's "red lines". Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out a return to the customs union or single market as part of his ambition for closer ties with Europe following the fractious post-Brexit years.
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