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A senior German politician has suggested the EU may be ready to revisit trade relations after Brexit and urged politicians to “get in touch with us”.
German Finance Minister Christian Lindner told BBC News that the UK has a “standing invitation” to future talks on reducing trade barriers or “obstacles in everyday business life”.
“If you want to intensify your business relationship with the European Union – contact us!”
We really value the UK, its values and its people… and I would really like it if we could strengthen (the trade relationship) again.
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner
He told the radio: “There are new obstacles in the daily life of German companies since Brexit… I don’t think the UK will benefit from Brexit.”
“We really value the UK, its values and its people… and I would really like it if we could strengthen (trade relations) again,” he said.
These comments come after Rishi Sunak’s agreement with the European Union on post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland, the Windsor Framework, appeared to herald better relations between Brussels and London.
The UK will also return to the EU’s £85bn Horizon research programme, in another sign of improving relations.
Both Labor and the Conservatives remain committed to keeping the UK out of the EU’s single market, but Sir Keir Starmer’s party has made it clear it wants to secure a better trade deal with the bloc.
A government spokesman said: “The trade and cooperation agreement is the world’s largest tariff-free and quota-free free trade agreement.”
“It secures access to UK markets in key services sectors and opens up new opportunities for British businesses around the world.
“Following the Windsor framework, both the UK and EU have publicly committed to further maximizing TCA opportunities.”
2023-10-14 11:30:35
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