. “We now have to analyze the content more closely and, above all, wait a bit to see what the agreement means in practice, but our companies now have at least planning security. Especially this has been called for louder and louder in recent times, ”says Harald Grefe, International Director of the Chamber of Commerce.
Especially in times of the Corona crisis, increasing trade conflicts and global protectionism, it is in the interests of all parties that the EU should keep its relations with the UK as close as possible. Nevertheless, restrictions in the supply chains and long waiting times at the borders are not off the table. On the British side, there is still no functioning adequate infrastructure for customs clearance.
After all, German companies have 2,500 branches in Great Britain and employ over 400,000 people there. Around 500 companies from East Westphalia maintain export relationships with Great Britain – 60 of them with their own branches or production sites on the island. According to estimates by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the export volume of East Westphalian companies to Great Britain amounted to more than one billion euros in 2019. Business with the UK also secured jobs in the region.
The Brexit uncertainties have left their mark since the 2016 referendum. German exports to the UK fell from 89 billion euros in 2015 to 79 billion euros in 2019. Grefe: “As a result, the United Kingdom slipped from 3rd place to 7th place among the most important German trading partners.” This trend continued in 2020.
Meanwhile, the textile and clothing industry is disappointed with the Brexit deal. Silvia Jungbauer, General Manager of the Association of Total Mesh, said it would be a tough and expensive break. Despite the deal, there could be no question of free trade.
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