Minister David Jones addressed freight and transport industry leaders
Minister for Exiting the European Union, David Jones, spoke to global importers and exporters at the Freight Transport Association (FTA) conference.
Speaking at the ‘Keep Britain Trading’ event in London, DExEU Minister David Jones told industry experts that the country will soon enter the next phase of our exit from the European Union.
At the QEII Centre in Westminster, the Minister addressed some of the issues raised by delegates, including the future of customs and tariff arrangements, access to EU transport markets and helping businesses continue to attract skilled labour.
Minister for Exiting the European Union, David Jones, said:
We enter the negotiations with optimism, we do not seek a deal that would damage the valuable import and export trade we share with our European partners.
Our trade with Europe is worth in excess of £134 billion to the UK and the government is committed to protecting this great economic asset.
We will offer as much certainty to you as possible and avoid any kind of ‘cliff edge’ as we pursue a smooth and orderly exit from the EU.
Freight Transport Association Deputy Chief Executive, James Hookham, said:
We are delighted to welcome Minister David Jones to today’s event that offers delegates across the freight and logistics sector a unique forum to debate and examine the implications of leaving the EU for the country’s continued business success.
Britain has always been a trading nation, and our members are committed to supporting the Prime Minister’s vision of a global Britain post-Brexit, with strong international trading relationships both inside and outside the European Union.
The logistics industry is key to the future success of Britain’s new trading relationships, and we look forward to working with government to establish seamless, frictionless cross-border trade with the EU and the rest of the world, which will be vital to keep British business trading effectively.
The Minister ended his speech with reference to the forthcoming Great Repeal Bill, which will enable EU law to be converted into domestic law. He explained that businesses will be able to continue trading in the knowledge that the rules will not change significantly overnight and that it will then be for Parliament to determine what changes will best serve the interests of the UK.