Brexit Update | September 2020

As we enter into the post summer period and Brexit begins to intensify, we discuss the latest Brexit developments and stand-out headlines. 

Barnier in London for informal Brexit talks (RTÉ)

1 September, EU negotiator Michel Barnier arrived in London for informal talks with his UK counterpart, David Frost. Formal negotiations will begin next Monday. Even though Britain’s transition period will end on January 1, the negotiators will have now until mid-October to have an agreement on the future relationship between EU and the UK. Read more on RTÉ News.

Finance minister Paschal Donohoe calls for Brexit negotiators to redouble efforts as deadline draws closer (CNBC)

While governments and ministers are dealing with handling the coronavirus pandemic, Paschal Donohoe has stressed that Brexit negotiating teams need to double down on their “creativity and commitment” to reach an agreement before the end of the year. Donohoe told CNBC Friday the importance of the these talks have been intensified by the global economy being gripped by Covid-19 developments in the last few months. Donohoe says: “It’s so important that all of us redouble our efforts and redouble our creativity and commitment to see if a pathway for an agreement can be found because the impact of a very, very hard Brexit on all participants in global trade, of course, is only going to be heightened if we are already dealing with the consequences of Covid-19.” Read more on CNBC. 

Industry warns of Brexit border chaos (Financial Times)

Leading customs and logistics associations in the UK have demanded a meeting with chancellor Rishi Sunak and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove, warning of inadequate Brexit border preparations risking disruptions to supply chains next year. Signatories include trade lobby groups such as the Road Haulage Association and Logistics UK and several leading freight companies. Read more on Financial Times.