To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what discussions he has had with the European Commission on the importation of cars from EU member states after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered on
2 November 2017
The UK is a major market for EU goods, including food and drink. In 2016, the UK imported £242 billion of goods from EU Member States. This reinforces the value of a deep and special economic partnership between the UK and the EU.
The Government’s position paper Continuity in the availability of goods for the EU and the UK (21 August 2017) sets out proposals designed to avoid disruption for businesses and consumers in regard the availability of goods, including imports, as the UK leaves the EU. Over recent months, we have held constructive discussions with the European Commission on these specific issues.
The paper also emphasises the UK’s ambitions for a future partnership with the EU that secures the freest and most frictionless trade possible in goods and services. The terms of our trading relationship with the EU after we leave are a matter for the negotiations on our future relationship, however we are confident that a future partnership between the UK and the EU is in the interest of both sides, so we approach the negotiations anticipating success.