Couldn’t agree more on the point around every FTA being bespoke and tailor-made. The fact that a country offered a concession to another trade partner does not automatically mean that subsequent partners are entitled to it as well.
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Especially that more often than not concessions are offered IN RETURN for something else.
You can't ask for only half of a deal.
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I'd also agree that there will be disruption in Jan 2021 whether there is no deal or a deal is signed in the last minute.
Rejection of an implementation period is interesting - after all, it's standard for all FTAs. Text is finalised and companies have time to prepare
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Saying to SMMT that EU's Brexit preparedness notices gave sufficient information for the sector to prepare and only "a few details" remain unknown such as "RoOs and whether there will be tariffs" is a bit odd. I would say these are not "details", especially for the auto sector
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A high-level response to a question on how no customs formalities NI to GB would fit with the UCC.
The UCC clearly mentions that goods leaving the EU's customs territory are subject to the export decl and pre-notification if exp dec is not submitted.
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Overall a very interesting session. A lot of areas covered. As always with IfG events, well worth taking the time to watch.
Hello. I don't do this anymore but since the BTOM Brexit border checks are finally here I thought I'd post something.
1⃣ The rules changed in Jan 2021. This is when these checks should have been introduced
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2⃣ They were postponed five times as this country tried to avoid the consequences of its own decisions. The increased costs and burden are a direct result of the choices made between 2016 and 2020.
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3⃣ I deeply sympathise with businesses facing these new requirements. They have been living on borrowed time since 2021.
4⃣ We weren’t ready the last five times, we’re not ready now. We will never be fully ready.
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A couple of thoughts on the Windsor Framework and the new solution for the GB/NI/ROI border.
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1. Details still need to be worked out
As expected, still a lot of work to be done. Whether it's non-steel TRQs, the new Trusted Trader scheme or a reimbursement system for goods that went via red lane but stayed in NI.
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And as a result, the deal will take some time to implement. The EU documents set out the expected timeline - we're not out of the woods yet.
1⃣ According to a 2020 study two-thirds of the e-commerce products imported into the EU fails to meet EU safety laws.
2⃣ Part of the equation is that e-commerce has changed the way border checks need to be done. As trade is more “fragmented”, border checks are trickier.
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Sub-point here - the arrival of Alibaba (et co.) was met with a political decision to accommodate/facilitate.
While supporting e-commerce makes sense on many levels, compromising domestic controls may not. There is a fine balance between these two.
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First stop today - Motis. Mostly an inbound Inland Border Facility with additional services such as some export processes and live animal checks. Great driver facilities too
Port of Dover. Traffic buildup due to P&O ferries not operating.
Big thank you to @Port_of_Dover for hosting us earlier today and showing us around.
Anyone can now purchase a bulletproof vest or a helmet and export it provided that they can demonstrate it's going to an end-user in Ukraine.
This also covers transit of such equipment
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There has been A LOT of questions on that lately - how do I purchase a bulletproof vest in Poland and export it to Ukraine. Under normal circumstances, it's not that easy. Such movements are controlled.
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