Which ever way you voted in the Brexit referendum, one thing is clear and that is that the UK will be leaving the EU at some point in the future, although quite what the shape of this will be is still unclear. With less than a year to go to Brexit Day, the country doesn’t know if we’ll crash out without a deal, have an extended transition period, decide to retain many of the current ties we have with the EU, or something else. The government has to prepare for all scenarios and as part of this the DTI are starting consultations on post Brexit trade negotiations around the world.
Now is the opportunity for you to have your say on what the UK’s future trade deals look like. The DIT are launching public consultations to make sure that everyone in the country can play a part in what the UK’s post brexit trade negotiations look like. This means that every time the government begins trade discussions, they will be able to share your views giving everyone the opportunity to shape the countries future.
The DTI want to hear from you regardless of your status, whether you are responding as an individual citizen, representative of an organisation (e.g. Trade Union), representing your business, a trade association or a public sector body.
You might think that your views are unimportant and that frankly governments don’t do business and that’s left to companies and online retailers like you who largely ignore geographical boundaries and are willing to sell worldwide regardless of trade deals. However, what is important is tariffs, minimum order values that can be imported without the need to pay import duties or sales tax and a whole load of associated red tape that will impact you. Even filling out customs documentation can be made relatively easier or more difficult depending on the agreements with different countries.
Currently the DTI have opened consultations for post brexit trade negotiations with New Zealand, The United States, Australia and potentially seeking accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). You can take part in these consultations by submitting your responses at any time up until the 26th of October 2018.
