EU negotiators are ‘drinking in the last chance saloon’ as Brexit trade deal talks resume this week, the boss of a leading Dorset business has warned today. (WEEK COMMENCING JULY 20)
Simon Boyd – managing director of Christchurch-based REIDsteel – insisted that the UK would ‘prosper’ on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms if no agreement was reached.
And he warned that the Covid-19 crisis has brought into sharp focus the need for the UK to leave the EU to be able to achieve greater economic resilience and self-sufficiency.
Mr Boyd, a member of the CBI’s manufacturing council, spoke out as the next full set of talks begin in London.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stated that there will be no extension to the UK’s transition period and has urged negotiators to agree a deal this summer.
Mr Boyd said: “The EU negotiators are drinking in the last chance saloon.
“Boris will walk away and leave without a deal at the end of transition period on December 31 so now is the time for them to face reality at the negotiating table.”
“We can manage perfectly well and prosper on WTO terms, upon which we can trade all around the world.”
Simon, regional chairman of Business for Britain during the EU referendum campaign, added: “Government spending will undoubtedly impact on the national debt.
“The crisis has also brought into sharp focus the need to leave the EU to achieve greater economic resilience and self-sufficiency in the UK.
“Brexit gives us the opportunity to take charge of our own destiny, strike our own trade deals, run our businesses in our own way, boost productivity and eventually start paying off the huge cost of the coronavirus pandemic.”
The UK and EU negotiations have come to a standstill after three rounds of talks with the two sides divided over issues including fishing rights, governance arrangements and ensuring a level playing for businesses.
REIDsteel, based in Christchurch, Dorset, designs, manufactures and constructs all kinds of steel buildings for clients across the UK, Europe and the World.
The 130-strong business celebrated its centenary in 2019 and has exported to more than 140 countries to date.