The Unfinished Business of the Northern Ireland Protocol
The Unfinished Business of the Northern Ireland Protocol While the world battles the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK Government’s decision not to request an extension to the transition period means that the UK and the EU have only eight months until 31st December 2020 to complete the talks on the future trading relationship. If a trade […]
Determining Goods At Risk
Determining Goods At Risk The UK is due to leave the EU on the 31st January 2020. A new stage of the Brexit process is set to begin – the transition period and negotiations of the future relationship with the EU. At the same time, work on the Northern Irish border arrangements is far from […]
The Government’s No-deal Preparations Have Left Businesses In the Dark
The Government’s No-deal PreparationsHave Left Businesses In the Dark With Brexit less than 100 days away, the prospect of no deal is more likely than ever. The UK’s transitional border plans were released in February ahead of the March deadline. Increasingly large sums have been spent on preparation. But many companies aren’t ready. As a […]
Preference Utilisation and Customs Data: The Missing Pieces of the FTA Puzzle
Preference Utilisation and Customs Data: The Missing Pieces of the FTA Puzzle Even though free trade agreements (FTAs) have proliferated for several decades, researchers still don’t fully understand their effects. In the wake of the recent wave of mega-regional trade deals, many governments are now interested in evaluating the effectiveness of their existing commitments and […]
The Customs Side of Customs Unions
The Customs Side of Customs Unions In the context of Brexit, a customs union has always been a half-way option that doesn’t offer the same benefits as single market membership, but also doesn’t allow the UK to lead a truly independent trade policy. It only addresses trade in goods, and doesn’t solve the problem of […]
There Is No Such Thing As Completely Frictionless Trade Across a Border
There Is No Such Thing As Completely Frictionless Trade Across a Border The concept of a frictionless border is a constant theme of the Brexit debate. There is no such thing as completely frictionless trade across a border. Brexit potentially adds new border formalities and checks when moving physical goods across the border, and these […]
The Rules of Origin Facilitator: New Tool For Increasing Trade
The Rules of Origin Facilitator: New Tool For Increasing Trade Text on the joint initiative by the ITC, WCO and WTO which helps micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) benefit from international trade opportunities. Originally published by ITC (HERE). By Anna Jerzewska and Dzmitry Kniahin The Rules of Origin Facilitator is a new online tool which makes […]
Is Your Business UK Trade Policy Ready?
Is Your Business UK Trade Policy Ready? By David Henig and Anna Jerzewska Originally published by the UK Trade Forum (HERE). “I’m from the government and I’m here to help” is often a statement business representatives really don’t like to hear. But as the UK embarks on an independent trade policy outside the European Union, […]
Brexit and Origin: a Case For the Wider Use of Cross-cumulation
Brexit and Origin: a Case For the Wider Use of Cross-cumulation As the UK negotiates its exit from the EU, rules of origin are becoming a key topic. Even if the UK reaches a deal with the EU, renegotiates agreements with the EU’s existing partners such as Canada, Japan or South Korea, or signs deals […]
Brexit and the European Cumulation of Origin: The Case of the Textile Industry
Brexit and the European Cumulation of Origin:The Case of the Textile Industry When the UK exits the EU, it will forfeit access to the Pan-Euro-Med (PEM) cumulation zone. In this article, the author examines the potential implications of Brexit on cumulation of origin, particularly with regard to the UK textiles industry, and outlines related aspects […]
