UK and EU Free Trade Agreement, etc. Concluded Negotiations Finalized November 14, 6:47

The UK and the EU-European Union are in the final stages of negotiations to conclude a free trade agreement, but it is unpredictable whether they can reach an agreement by mid-next week, which seems to be a practical deadline.

The UK and the EU have entered a transition period to avoid rapid changes in society after the UK left the EU in January, and are continuing negotiations on free trade agreements, but they are subsidizing fishery rights and companies. We are having a difficult time due to the gap in our positions regarding money.



On the 11th of this month, Prime Minister Johnson reiterated his position to the local media, saying, "I would like to agree if possible, but whether the EU understands our request. I am ready for any outcome." It was.



On the other hand, the EU side is also urging Britain to make concessions, even though the agreement is desirable, and there are no signs that the negotiations will be concluded so far.



The transition period is until the end of the year, but due to the need for parliamentary approval procedures, the actual deadline for negotiations is expected to be before the extraordinary EU summit, which is scheduled for 19th next week.



As the infection of the new coronavirus spreads again and the impact on the European economy becomes serious, if a free trade agreement cannot be concluded, it will be a further blow, and negotiations for the agreement will continue.

A sense of crisis for Japanese companies grows stronger

Approximately 1,000 Japanese companies have set up operations in the United Kingdom, and even now, one and a half months before the end of the transition period, the sense of crisis is growing even more when the whereabouts of free trade agreements are unknown.



A Japanese fire alarm manufacturer that has been operating in the suburbs of London for half a century, is based in the United Kingdom and operates throughout Europe.



The EU accounts for 60% of the total, and if the transition period ends without a free trade agreement, fire alarms will be subject to tariffs of up to 7%.



For EU customers, prices will rise, and in the worst case, they run the risk of losing customers.



President Yoshiaki Kadokura said, "Similar to the case of withdrawal, it is frustrating that the future will not be decided even toward the end of this transition period. I can not decide what measures to take, so I have to wait earnestly. I want you to confirm it. "



The same is true for the automobile industry.



In the UK, Nissan, Toyota and Honda produce cars and export them to EU countries, but without an agreement, passenger cars will be subject to a 10% tariff from January next year.



For this reason, the British Automobile Manufacturers Association, which includes Japanese manufacturers, has repeatedly urged the British government to agree to conclude an agreement, complaining that the prices of cars sold in the EU will rise and face a decline in sales.