Reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement on a date for the Leaders’ Summit, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:
“Businesses will be relieved that we have a date for this crunch summit but the focus must now shift to getting real delivery from this meeting.
“Both sides must be ambitious. That means delivering real benefits for firms and consumers through lower trading costs on food and plant products.
“It means keeping our goods exports competitive and boosting investment through a deal which links our Emissions Trading Schemes on greenhouse gas content.
“And it means a strong youth experience deal that promotes economic growth and new opportunities for employers and young people alike.
“Businesses will also want the summit to introduce some meaningful progress on the EU’s Made in Europe plans.
“Without some clarity, there is a real fear that the UK could be locked out of Europe’s supply chains and procurement opportunities.
“There must be recognition that keeping the UK inside the tent would be a win for both sides. This would forge stronger cross-border supply chains and could promote growth in the automotive, hydrogen, nuclear fuels, and civil nuclear sectors.
“But what the Prime Minister did not give much away on, today, was the much bigger question of the shape of future UK-EU trade relations.
“This summit must fire the starting gun on that wider conversation. Governments on both sides must consult with businesses and the wider public on how our economic, defence and trade relations can be improved for the long-term.
“For the last five years, thousands of businesses have told us they are desperate to see change to deliver lower costs, create more opportunities to trade and grow their customer base. This is the discussion businesses on both sides are ready for their politicians to have.”