Answer given by Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission
19.3.2021
The Commission is currently assessing the different free trade agreements that the United Kingdom (UK) has signed with third countries. At this stage, the vast majority of them are simple roll-overs of previous EU Agreements. It is too early to quantify the impact on trade flows. The Commission will continue assessing the impact of these agreements and of UK liberalisation measures through the usual instruments at its disposal.
Whichever market access the UK grants to third countries, goods exported from the UK to the EU only benefit from preferential treatment in the EU if they meet the rules of origin of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement[1]. Goods exported from the UK to the EU, whether originating in the UK or not, also must comply with EU regulations, including sanitary and phytosanitary rules for agricultural produce and technical regulations for industrial products.
As regards the Brexit adjustment reserve, the draft regulation provides a comprehensive yet non-exhaustive list of support measures. Member States can support additional measures provided there is a link with the impact of the withdrawal of the UK, such measures respect the applicable law and that other EU programmes and instruments do not support the same costs. Consequently, it is possible for Member States to dedicate specific amounts to the agriculture sector. The Commission will assess that conditions are met on the basis of the applications and implementation reports received.
- [1] TRADE AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE EUROPEAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMUNITY, OF THE ONE PART, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, OF THE OTHER PART
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2020.444.01.0014.01.ENG