UK-EU Summit can boost trade by fixing the frictions, says Logistics UK

The EU is the UK’s largest trading partner and the second UK-EU summit, confirmed to take place in Brussels on July 22, must focus on fixing trade frictions with the EU by reducing non-tariff barriers, according to business group Logistics UK. Chief Executive Ben Fletcher is urging the UK government and the EU to implement practical steps to drive economic growth through trade:

“The UK’s economy grows when it trades, but unnecessary trade friction is increasing costs, reducing competitiveness and preventing potential economic growth. The best way for the government to unlock trade-led growth and raise living standards is by using this summit to fix the trade frictions between ourselves and our largest trading partner.

“With real progress recently being made to remove costly SPS checks, we are urging UK and European leaders to turn their attention to fixing further barriers to trade, such as slow digital border processes and the “90 within 180-day” restrictions that limit the number of days HGV drivers and other logistics workers can spend in the 29 Schengen Area countries.”

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk