Author: Matthew Hodgson
Published on Sunday Times of Malta 13th November 2016

In PKF Cooper Parry’s first Brexit survey, a number of customers enquired about international trade. Customers asked how Brexit would affect interest rates, international tax, access to trade and whether the UK will have trade deals on a country by country basis – for example, whether the UK would have different trading terms with Germany to those it would have with smaller European countries.

As we’ve summarised, lots of customers feel uneasy about Brexit. And from comments, we found that a lot of apprehension comes from the belief that those countries still in the EU will have a sense of bitterness towards the UK and its businesses.  People are worried that business will slow down. And that eventually, when Article 50 is triggered, they will be left with a poor standing in trade deals, with higher interest and tax rates.

 

Different relationships with the EU

So countries can take part in the movement of goods, services and capital with EU member countries. Different countries have different kinds of relationships and agreements with the EU:

• EU Member – Like 28 other countries, you could be an EU member. In terms of trade however, this limits how you negotiate trade with non-EU countries. (Post-Brexit, this could be an opportunity for the UK.)
• EEA – you could be a member of the European |Economic Area (EAA), which allows  countries to stay part of the EU Single Market for the free movement of goods and services.
• EFTA – You could be in the European Free Trade Association like Switzerland. Again, this would still allow for trade with minimum implications within Europe.

Then there are those countries with agreements with the EU that do not allow for easy going international trade. These countries may still get some trade advantages, including low tariffs or high import quotas, but this doesn’t compare to the three agreements above.

• There are Customs Union countries like Turkey. ‘ Most Favoured Nation’ countries like Australia and ‘Duty Free’ countries such as Monaco or Singapore.

Put Simply

We’ve put together a table that summarises the above and explains possible alternatives to EU membership. Keep an eye on the column on the left and the row that concerns how countries fare in terms of trade. Post-Brexit Britain could choose any of these options and it’s likely a combination of more than one.

 

Multiple Options		EU Member	EEA	EFTA	Customs Union	MFN	Duty-Free’
		28 European Member nations	Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland	Swiss	Turkey	Australia	Monaco, Singapore
Free movement of goods, services and capital		Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Free movement of people		Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Free to negotiate trade deals and set tariff levels with non-EU Countries		No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	In principle, but slower
EU Laws and regulations	Influence	Yes	Very limited	No	No	No	No
	Compliance	Yes	Yes	Yes, but some opt outs	Some	No	No
Fiscal Contributions		Yes	Yes (83%)	Yes (52%)	No	No	No
Common agricultural policy		Yes	No	No	No	No	No

Author: Matthew Hodgson
Published on Sunday Times of Malta 13th November 2016
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