Latest Brexit News 22/06/20

The UK Government is insistent it will not request any extension to the December 31st  final exit date, they have until June 30th to change their minds. At present the UK Gov is still intending to apply a 6 moths easing of transit requirements for goods from the EU to the UK  but  EU member states do not appear to be offering an equivalent for UK export to the EU.

Ministers have announced trade talks with Australia New Zealand and Japan aiming to have free trade deals set up  in time for our exit,  The UK is continuing with its application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) a government paper explains " CPTPP membership will complement the bilateral FTAs we hold with CPTPP members, including deals we hope to strike with Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and existing EU agreements with Canada, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. This underlies our strong commitment to the Asia Pacific and Americas and the opportunities these regions offer UK businesses.

CPTPP, however, offers something fundamentally different to a network of bilateral FTAs, creating opportunities to deepen our trading links across the Asia-Pacific region, from South East and East Asia to Australasia, and the Americas. It will help put the UK at the heart of a network of FTAs, increasing our appeal as a gateway to parts of the world with high growth potential and in doing so attract more inward investment"

Trade talks with the USA seem to have cooled a little for the moment but work is still going on but there is no expectation of a deal being announce soon.