Now is the time to influence the UK-EU relationship
The Independent UK-EU Commission is preparing a report on the scope for improvements in the current trade deal between the UK and the EU. The purpose of the report is to provide input to the incoming government after the next General Election.
The incoming government, formed of whichever parties, will at a minimum have to engage in a general review of the working of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The precise date of the review is defined ambiguously in the TCA - but preparatory work is likely to begin in 2025 with completion likely to be in 2026.
There are also several deadlines for unilateral EU decisions which affect UK companies approaching in 2025 and 2026; some are of specific sectoral relevance and others, such as the one relating to data adequacy, are of relevance to most UK companies trading with the EU.
The extent of discussions between the UK Government and the EU after a British General Election and the election of a new EU Parliament and the appointment of a new European Commission will depend on their respective ambitions. It could be limited to a simple review of the functioning of the current TCA and associated agreements. At the other end of the continuum, there could be a full-blown renegotiation. More likely there may be a set of specific improvements made and governments will have to choose which to prioritise.
We are setting up a number of sector working groups. Now is the time for private sector companies and other interested parties to contribute, as the next UK government may have only a very short window of time to adopt an approach and a negotiating brief.
Appetite on the European side will partly be informed by the appetite amongst European economic actors for any changes to current trade rules. We are ascertaining this desire and will be informing the working groups.
The approaches of both the UK and EU governments will also be informed by geo-political developments. These may continue to be momentous and will likely place a premium on cooperation amongst European democracies.
Andy Tarrant, independent public affairs, public policy and strategic communications adviser and member of the Independent Commission