The EU was never the question mark in these negotiations.
We've seen the EU negotiate FTAs time after time. We've seen EU FTA neogiations breaking down because the demands were too high/will to compromise was too low
We've known what EU's 3rd country rules and obligations were since before the referendum. All of this was obvious. Painfully obvious.
/2
The EU 3rd country rules, whether it's export procedures (exist summary decl) or SPS rules, were the rules we applied to 3rd countries as a member of the EU.
Yes, somehow, these are the rules that ended surprising our Gov.
/3
And this is what I don't get.
How can you claim that the EU is acting in bad faith when it's doing everything we knew it would do?
/4
We're literally crying foul because the EU is playing by the rules that we've known about for years.
Are we surprised that they are tough negotiators unwilling to make far reaching concessions in return for very little?
/5
I'm just surprised that anyone is surprised that both sides are focusing on protecting their own interests.
With the EU being the predictable party in these negotiations.
/6
And as much as I would like for the UK to continue to negotiate and try to get the best deal it possibly can I would love it if we could do it without shouting "it's not fair" every few min.
It's not a good look.
/ends
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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
/1
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.
/2
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.
/3
A couple of thoughts on the Windsor Framework and the new solution for the GB/NI/ROI border.
/1
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.
/1
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.
/2
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.
/3
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
/2
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.
/3