The Prime Minister has dubbed the outcome of the recent UK-EU trade talks a 'reset' to British-EU relations, which IMO is much needed after the disaster that was and still is Brexit.
But is it really a resent, or is it just tinkering around the edges of a much worsened relationship?
Key wins/ easings...
- I think the big one is the end of food checks on British goods entering EU countries in exchange for the UK adopting EU food standards.
- The prospect of facilitating British defence businesses to take part in EU defence procurement projects.
- UK nationals may be able access e-gates at additional EU airports.
- There are possible forthcoming negotiations for a youth mobility program and energy infrastructure cooperation.
The Labour government estimate these measures could save the British economy around £9BN by 2040 on food and energy costs.
Fishing the big loser....
The UK agreed to extend EU fishing access in British waters to 2038 - that's 12 years beyond what was planned.
Think about that, fishermen have been expecting things to ease up literally the year after next, many of them thinking they could maybe hold on for dear life until then, but they're now basically screwed, there was A LOT of coverage about this in R4, or maybe that was just the theme of moment while I was driving!>!>
Thoughts...
I'm quite happy with the measures.... it puts some aspect of UK trade back under EU control effectively, but that just makes trade easier, probably good for the smaller businesses!
Although there is maybe a slight danger we get caught up in EU bureaucracy too.
Finally, a lot of the details are yet to be ironed out, but what's been achieved so far just sounds like common sense, smoothing things over.
Also, no MASSIVE changes for most people, unless you fish for a living, in which case you might want to look into retraining!