The UK Chile Continuity Agreement: What You Need to Know
In the wake of Brexit, the UK has been working hard to establish continuity agreements with its trading partners to ensure that trade can continue without disruption. One of the latest agreements to be finalized is the UK Chile Continuity Agreement, which was signed on 30 January 2019.
This agreement is good news for businesses and consumers alike, as it means that trade between the UK and Chile can continue on the same terms as before, even after the UK leaves the EU. Here’s what you need to know about the UK Chile Continuity Agreement.
What is the UK Chile Continuity Agreement?
The UK Chile Continuity Agreement is an agreement that ensures that trade between the UK and Chile can continue on the same terms as before, even after the UK leaves the EU. The agreement replicates the provisions of the existing EU Chile Association Agreement, which covers trade in goods, services, and investment.
The agreement ensures that tariffs on goods traded between the UK and Chile will remain at zero, and that regulatory barriers that could impede trade will be removed. This means that businesses will continue to benefit from the same low tariffs and streamlined customs procedures as before, making it easier and cheaper to trade between the two countries.
Why is the UK Chile Continuity Agreement important?
The UK Chile Continuity Agreement is important because Chile is an important trading partner for the UK. In 2017, UK-Chile trade was worth £1.8 billion, and the UK is Chile’s second-largest trading partner in Europe. Many UK businesses, particularly in the food and drink sector, rely heavily on exports to Chile.
Without a continuity agreement in place, trade between the UK and Chile could have been disrupted, resulting in higher tariffs and increased costs for businesses, as well as potential delays at the border. The UK Chile Continuity Agreement ensures that this won’t happen, and that businesses can continue to trade with confidence.
What are the benefits of the UK Chile Continuity Agreement?
The UK Chile Continuity Agreement provides a number of benefits for businesses in both countries. These include:
• Tariff-free trade: Tariffs on goods traded between the UK and Chile will remain at zero, ensuring that businesses can continue to benefit from the same low tariffs as before.
• Streamlined customs procedures: The agreement ensures that regulatory barriers that could impede trade will be removed, making it easier and cheaper for businesses to trade between the two countries.
• Certainty for businesses: The continuity agreement provides certainty for businesses that rely on exports to Chile, ensuring that trade can continue on the same terms as before.
• Stronger UK-Chile trade relationship: The agreement strengthens the UK’s relationship with Chile, providing a foundation for future trade and investment between the two countries.
In conclusion, the UK Chile Continuity Agreement is an important development for businesses trading between the two countries. It provides certainty and stability, ensuring that trade can continue on the same terms as before, and provides a platform for future growth and prosperity. With this agreement in place, businesses can continue to trade with confidence, safe in the knowledge that the trading relationship between the UK and Chile remains strong.