UK minister refuses to join pan-European trade deal
EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has ruled out joining a pan-European trade deal, saying Britain has “currently no plans” to sign up to the scheme.
On Wednesday, the EU’s new trade chief Maros Sefcovic told the BBC he is ready for Britain to rejoin the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM) as part of a post-Brexit “reset”.
The arrangement allows tariff-free trade of certain goods from dozens of countries in Europe and North Africa.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mr Sefcovic told the BBC’s economics editor Faisal Islam that the idea had not been “accurately formulated” by London and that “the ball is in Britain’s court”.
The BBC understands that the UK Government has started a consultation with business on the benefits of the PEM scheme which could help reduce red tape and improve trade. No final decision has been taken yet.
Asked about the deal in the House of Commons, Thomas-Symonds said she welcomed the “positive, constructive tone” of the EU trade commissioner.
“We are always looking for ways to reduce barriers to trade, but within the red lines of our manifesto, because we take a pragmatic approach to where the national interest lies.
“We have no plans to join PEM at present, and we are not going to provide an ongoing commentary on every comment made.”
Labour’s manifesto states that “there will be no return to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement”.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey was angered by the minister’s comments. recently called For Britain to join a new customs agreement with the EU, allowing tariff-free trade between the two blocs.
This will also limit Britain’s ability to make trade deals with other countries.
Sir Ed accused the Government of “economic negligence”, adding: “It is worrying that the Government is happy to negotiate with China but will also not look at better trading arrangements with our nearest neighbors in Europe.
“It is time for a fair UK-EU customs arrangement so we can strengthen our negotiations with Donald Trump, reduce red tape on our businesses and grow the economy.”
Speaking in the Commons, Conservative shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghardt said Mr Sefcovic was “a better guide to what’s going on than the British government”.
Another Conservative MP, John Cooper, said that joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention would turn Britain “once again into a rule taker, not a rule maker”.
He called on Thomas-Symonds to refuse to sign a deal that would require Britain to “adopt EU rules” and instead “attack the world and make new deals around the US and the Pacific-Rim”. “.
The minister responded that it was not a “binary choice” and that the government “will not choose between partners. We want to deepen all our relationships.”
