UK Proposes Arrangements for Customs Relations With EU; Called 'Fantasy' by EU Official
The United Kingdom laid out two possible future customs arrangements in a new document that could help maintain smooth trade processing once the UK leaves the EU, the UK said in an Aug. 15 news release. One post-Brexit approach would use a "highly streamlined" arrangement that would "continue some existing arrangements we have with the EU, reduce or remove barriers to trade through new arrangements, and adopt technology-based solutions to make it easier for businesses to comply with customs procedures," the UK said in the release. The other approach includes alignment of the UK's "approach to the customs border in a way that removes the need for a UK-EU customs border."
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While the "ultimate customs arrangement will depend on our negotiations with the EU," under either approach "the UK and EU Member States would benefit from time to fully implement the new customs arrangements, in order to avoid a cliff-edge for businesses and individuals on both sides." The UK suggested that a "time-limited interim period" of close association with the EU Customs Union could help avoid major disruptions. A Brexit negotiator for the EU, Guy Verhofstadt, derided the suggestions in a tweet. "To be in & out of the Customs Union & 'invisible borders' is a fantasy," he said. "First need to secure citizens rights & a financial settlement."