Business, Freight News, Logistics

BIFA Urges Caution on Possible EU-UK Trade Reset

[ February 24, 2025   //   Gary G Burrows ]

News of a possible “reset” in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, due for review in 2026, could raise unrealistic expectations, the British International Freight Association said Feb. 19.
Calling “the use of ‘reset’ is regrettable,” BIFA said preparatory work will be undertaken this year in advance of the 2026 review.
“There has been lots of speculation about the issues a reset might address, which has so far been characterized by warm words on both sides, but very little detail about possible policy changes,” said Steve Parker, BIFA director general. “Both sides are committed to the full implementation of the current TCA but at present there doesn’t seem any appetite to implement any significant changes, particularly relating to frontier processes.
“In a way this is not surprising as considerable effort and cost has been incurred to implement new procedures at the frontier and time is still required to establish how well they will actually work in practice.”
BIFA reminds its members to be realistic about what might be achieved during any negotiations in regardto trade between the UK and EU, and how the outcome of those negotiations might affect the work they undertake to facilitate that trade.
Robert Windsor, member policy and compliance director, discussed the UK-EU trade relationship during a Feb. 17 episode of “BIFAlink TV,” reflecting on the key areas impacted by Brexit and assessing the aspects of trade that could be considered as part of the forthcoming review. The episode is available on BIFA’s YouTube channel, at https://tinyurl.com/yzprcd5m.

Tags: British International Freight Association