Today I also had a meeting at a European Commission,

Always a pleasure to talk to old colleagues.

Today I spoke about Trade and Customs Education at the CLECAT Freight Forwarders Forum 2018.

The conference was organized at my old workplace, World Customs Organization in Brussels.

Good networking and many old friends: great to be back at the WCO.

The statement on Future Relations says that in two specific areas, negotiations have been particularly challenging, and the agreement reached so far will require further work during the negotiations on the future relationship:

On trade in goods, the negotiators have agreed in principle the need for comprehensive arrangements creating a free trade area, combining deep regulatory and customs cooperation, building on the single customs territory provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement. Both sides wish to make the trading relationship as close as possible.

Exactly what balance of rights and obligations will be compatible with the integrity of the Union’s Single Market and Customs Union and the development of the United Kingdom’s independent trade policy will be the subject of the future relationship negotiations.

STATE OF PLAY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 50 TEU ON THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION