If you're still confused about what's going on with the fishing industry, or food and drink sector in general and way it's all so important there were three Select Committee hearings this Thu worth watching
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First stop, the Scottish Parliament. A really important session.
TL:DR - if nothing is done, some of these businesses won't exist in a few months.
Next up, the Scottish Affairs Committee session on Fisheries and Scotland. The second session of the day with @scotfoodjames who I really enjoy listening to.
It won't be the first FTA signed for political/strategic reasons without serious, tangible economic benefits. Trade deals are signed for a number of different reasons. It's normal.
It's also normal for countries to try to create hype around trade negotiations - especially is they are literally desperate for some good news which with the double impact of covid and Brexit we currently are.
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Finally, it is also absolutely normal for FTAs to have a limited impact on GDP.
The overall potential (in most cases wishful thinking) is one thing, utilisation rates of trade deals often tell a different story.
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I fully appreciate that hearing that DIT advises UK companies to set up in the EU is shocking. It really isn't good PR given that one of the goals of Brexit was to avoid red tape.
But there really isn't anything particularly unusual about it.
Think of it this way
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A UK company is exporting to Vietnam and the supply chain becomes more complicated over time, more integrated. The company no longer only exports but moves parts back and forth, perhaps has a sister company in Vietnam that it purchases from but still invoices via the UK
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That part of the business is big enough to be crucial for the company. At some point, it will consider setting up a presence in Vietnam to avoid non-tariff measures and simplify the process.
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Love being quoted just based on my tweets (especially the sarcastic ones). Thanks Express.
So let's unpack this. Should companies be setting shop in the EU?
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Some- yes.
It's all about what the company does, where it brings goods from, what happens to the goods in the UK and where they're sold to.
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In some cases, you'd have double or triple duties after bringing goods into the UK. Rules or origin might be an issue (Percy Pigs). And then there is VAT and cases where you might need a representative in the EU country and loss of triangulation.
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Just been talking to someone about long term effects of Brexit and it got me thinking about all these industries that are at a standstill at the moment, in shock over the new red tape.
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While it’s true that many industries are at a standstill and are struggling to export now, that’s just the beginning.
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Border issues will eventually get sorted. IT systems will work (more or less) and we’ll get the hang of these new formalities.
And at that point, many companies will realise that the extra red tape and these extra costs are not going away.
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