| Author (Corporate) | Welsh Government |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Press Release |
| Series Details | 12.02.18 |
| Publication Date | 12/02/2018 |
| Content Type | News |
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Background On 23 June 2016 the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU), including a majority of those who voted in Wales. The Welsh Government said it accepted the result, even though it had not been the recommended outcome of the government. Since then, the Welsh Government worked to protect and promote the interests of Wales during Brexit negotiations. During 2017 it published a number of key documents outlining its position and encouraging a dialogue within Wales and elsewhere: + White Paper Securing Wales’ Future. Transition from the European Union to a new relationship with Europe, January 2017 The Welsh Government published in February 2018 a report called Trade Policy: the issues for Wales. Securing Wales’ Future. The Brexit trade paper, supported by an economic impact analysis from Cardiff Business School, argued the Welsh economy was best protected by retaining full access to the European Single Market and membership of a customs union. The paper set out the severe impact a hard Brexit would have on Welsh jobs and the economy. If the UK were to move to World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, the Welsh economy could shrink by 8% - 10%, which would be the equivalent of between £1,500 and £2,000 per person in Wales. The report showed the Welsh economy would be disproportionately impacted by a hard Brexit and identified that the sectors most at risk from tariffs were automotive, chemicals, steel and electrical engineering, while the aerospace industry was most at risk from non-tariff barriers. These were sectors which were amongst the most productive in Wales and provided a large number of highly-skilled, well-paid jobs. The trade paper called on the UK government to provide evidence of how new trade deals would replace the benefits of access to the EU. The Welsh Government also wanted decisions on new trading relationships with the EU and the wider world to be taken in partnership with devolved administrations to fully reflect the interests of all parts of the UK.First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones was due to meet with the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, in Dublin, Ireland on the 12 February 2018 to discuss trade post-Brexit. The First Minister said that the creation of a ‘hard’ maritime border between Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, because of the UK government’s insistence on leaving the Single Market and the Customs Union, would be a very real threat to the Welsh and Irish economies. Ports made a huge contribution to the Welsh economy, supporting around 11,000 jobs and providing an economic hub and trade gateway with Europe and the rest of the world. The First Minister had recently launched the Welsh Government’s post-Brexit trade paper, which set out the challenges facing Welsh ports. It identified the most pressing issue for Welsh ports was maintaining the efficient movement of goods and people via seamless customs arrangements. [In the event the face to face meeting did not take place as the Taoiseach had to travel to Northern Ireland to meet with UK Prime Minister Theresa May. The two leader spoke by telephone and Mr Jones did meet Irish business representatives]. |
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| Source Link | http://gov.wales/newsroom/firstminister/2018/180212-first-minister-meets-taoiseach-to-discuss-trade-post-brexit/?lang=en |
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| Countries / Regions | Ireland, United Kingdom, Wales |
