On October 1st 2018, strategic partners of the NBCC Brexit Forum were invited to attend a lunch with Baroness Fairhead CBE, Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion, at the Residence of the British Ambassador to the Netherlands, Peter Wilson CMG.
The objective of this lunch was to provide our esteemed partners with the opportunity to ask questions to the minister, whilst discussing the certain impact of Brexit. The Minister recognizes that “the thing that businesses are concerned about the most is uncertainty’’.
During the lunch, representatives and guest speakers joined the UK Minister for Trade to discuss the challenges Brexit poses and the form the future relationship will take.
The Minister reassured all guests that negotiations are still continuing between UK and EU, there’s no stand still after Salzburg. She considers Chequers plan as a starting point of the negotiation: “It is definitely not "Chequers or no deal".
The Trade Minister reassured the business representatives that “the UK is working hard for a deal with frictionless trade” and that the UK “will do what we can to get the most comprehensive deal”.
On the question why there was a separation of goods and services and why services were not part of the UK Chequers Plan, the Minister stated “goods was first taken into account for practical reasons, but services can follow.”
Baroness Fairhead CBE, Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion, said she is optimistic about finalizing a deal, and that she remains confident about the continuation of strong Anglo-Dutch trade.
The NBCC wishes to thank Minister of Trade Baroness Fairhead CBE for attending the lunch, the Ambassador for welcoming us and the strategic partners of the NBCC Brexit Forum for their key role in making this platform a success.