Keir Starmer's EU Deal: What It Means for UK Exports, Imports, and UK Freight and Logistics
On May 19, 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed a landmark agreement aimed at resetting UK-EU relations post-Brexit. Dubbed the "EU reset," this deal is set to have significant implications for UK exporters, importers, and logistics providers
📦 What Can Be Exported More Easily to the EU?
The agreement introduces several measures to streamline trade between the UK and the EU:
- Eased Border Checks: The deal includes provisions to reduce border checks on food and agricultural products, potentially lowering costs and delays for exporters.
- Shellfish Exports: UK shellfish exports, which had been previously restricted, are set to resume under the new agreement.
- Regulatory Alignment: The UK has agreed to align with EU food standards, including oversight by the European Court of Justice. While this may raise sovereignty concerns, it could facilitate smoother trade for exporters.
🚜 Impact on Farmers, Producers, and Manufacturers
The deal offers several benefits to the UK's agricultural and export manufacturing sectors:
- Agricultural Exports: With reduced border checks and regulatory alignment, UK farmers and producers may find it easier to export goods to the EU, potentially reversing the 20% decline in food exports since 2018.
- Manufacturing Sector: The agreement includes a special deal to protect British steel exports, saving £25 million annually. Additionally, UK defense firms will gain access to the EU's €150 billion defense fund.
🚚 Logistics: What Will Be Easier?
The new deal aims to simplify logistics procedures:
- Border Procedures: Reduced border checks and streamlined customs procedures are expected to ease the movement of goods between the UK and the EU.
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): By linking the UK's Emissions Trading Scheme with the EU's, UK exporters can avoid the €800 million in carbon taxes that would otherwise apply to carbon-intensive goods.
- Travel and Mobility: UK travelers will gain access to EU e-gates, facilitating smoother travel between the UK and EU countries.
⚖️ Balancing Benefits and Sovereignty
While the deal presents numerous advantages, it also involves certain compromises:
- Regulatory Alignment: The UK's commitment to align with EU food standards means adopting EU regulations, which some view as a loss of sovereignty.
- Fishing Rights: The agreement extends EU fishing rights in UK waters until 2038, a provision that has faced criticism from the UK's fishing industry.
- European Court of Justice: The UK's acceptance of the ECJ's role in dispute resolution may raise concerns among those advocating for greater national control.
🧠Implications for Wallis Shipping and UK Freight Forwarding
Fo UK logistics companies like Wallis Shipping, the EU reset deal offers both opportunities and challenges:
- Opportunities: Eased border checks and streamlined customs procedures can lead to faster and more cost-effective shipments, enhancing service offerings to clients.
- Challenges: Adapting to new regulatory requirements and ensuring compliance with EU standards may necessitate updates to logistics processes and staff training.
In conclusion, the UK-EU reset deal marks a significant step towards revitalising trade relations. While it brings benefits such as reduced trade barriers, enhanced cooperation and smoother logistics processes, it also requires careful navigation of regulatory changes. UK freight providers will play a crucial role in ensuring that these changes translate into tangible improvements for exporters and importers.
Need support with your EU imports, exports or customs planning? Contact us at info@wssl.co.uk or call 01206 751133 to speak with our freight logistics specialists.