The International Trade Committee has launched an inquiry into
how the UK can replicate the rights it currently has under EU
trade agreements after Brexit.
The EU is party to 36 regional or bilateral free trade agreements
(FTAs), covering more than 60 countries. Of the UK’s top 50
export markets for goods in 2015, 10 are covered by EU trade
agreements which the UK will cease to be a party to after Brexit.
The Government has stated that it intends to maintain the current
position by replicating the rights that the UK presently enjoys
under these agreements. The Department for International Trade
has said this is its second priority after establishing the UK’s
position at the World Trade Organisation.
The Committee is seeking to examine the implications of this
intention, including the process and mechanisms by which such an
outcome might be achieved. It will also assess the potential
consequences of the UK ceasing to be party to EU FTAs, whether
particular FTAs should be prioritised, and identify issues that
may prove to be contentious during negotiations about the
continued application of EU FTAs.
Committee Chair MP said: “The
Department for International Trade aims to ensure the UK’s
current trading rights under EU FTAs are maintained following
Brexit. This is an ambitious, but hugely important, goal. Our new
inquiry will look at how they might go about achieving it, the
Department’s preparedness for doing so in the time available, and
the likelihood of eventual success. We will also look at the
potential consequences of the UK not being able to enjoy the same
rights as it does under these FTAs after Brexit – including
higher tariffs with some key non-EU trading partners.”
The Committee invites written evidence on its new inquiry with a
view to holding public evidence sessions in November and
December. The Committee seeks evidence on:
- What would be the potential consequences if the UK ceased to
be a party to the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and other
trade-related treaties to which the EU is a party?
- What particular issues arise in respect of the Regional
Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Preferential Rules of
Origin, Mutual Recognition Agreements and bilateral trade
facilitation agreements?
- By what mechanism is it legally possible for the UK to seek
continuing application of EU FTAs and other trade-related
treaties after Brexit?
- Which FTAs or other treaties should the UK prioritise in
seeking continuing application? Are there any that should be
allowed to lapse?
- Which issues are likely to be the most contentious in any
negotiations around the continuing application of EU FTAs and
other treaties? How should the UK address them?
- What staff and expertise will the Department for
International Trade need to deal with the necessary negotiations
in the time available?
- How should the Government approach working with the devolved
administrations to implement the elements of these treaties that
relate to devolved matters?
Respondents should feel welcome to respond to as many or few of
the questions above as they wish.
