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Trade strategy definitive - ‘Nothing matters more’ than reducing friction with the EU

Best for Britain has welcomed the full publication of the government's trade strategy today which highlighted the unparalleled importance of EU trade for British businesses.

The 100 page document cites many policies Best for Britain has campaigned for since they were first proposed by the cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission in May 2023 including.

  • Mutual recognition agreements - which means British manufacturers would not need to test products twice before selling them in the EU, reducing costs.
  • Mutual recognition of professional qualifications - which would allow British professionals to more easily work in the EU.
  • Joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM) - to simplify Rules of Origin requirements and increase opportunities for British exporters.

The strategy states, ‘Nothing matters more to traders across the UK than reduced trade frictions with our biggest trading market: the EU,’.

Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of Best for Britain, said:

“For the first time in almost a decade, ministers are focussed on building up trading relationships rather than tearing them down, and the government is right to definitively state that no relationship is more important for British businesses than the one we share with the EU. 

“Policies first put forward by Best for Britain and included in this strategy, like mutual recognition agreements, can most quickly and meaningfully boost the UK economy while putting money back into people’s pockets. “

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