Spanish carriers call for Brexit negotiations to guarantee the free movement of goods

Crucial importance of transport in light of the activation of Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon

The concern of international transport companies centers on customs regulations and the imposition of tariffs on the transit of goods.

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ASTIC, the International Road Transport AssociationWhen asked how it will affect Brexit al merchandise transports across Spain y United Kingdom, claims that, of the negotiations initiated by the British Governmentan agreement emerges with the European Union that guarantees free transit of goods between the European continent and the British Isles.

 

The negotiations that begin now, and which could last for more than two years, must take into careful consideration the sector of merchandise transports and in particular, to road modesince it will play a crucial role in the negotiations and the practical consequences for the economy will depend on the agreement that is finally reached, not only in terms of customs y dutybut also in the application of the very varied sector regulations regarding driving and rest times, weights and dimensions, access to the profession and the market, environmental and safety aspects, etc.

 

In this context, United Kingdom It is currently part of the Customs union Therefore, they do not exist. import or export customs between the Member States. The companies of international transport Road transport operators are requesting that the negotiations include new customs and tariff authorization regimes that guarantee the smooth flow of goods. goods and the vehicles that transport them.

 

Economic impact of Brexit in figures

 

In global figures, United Kingdom is a net importer of goods from UE, since it exported 21.350.000 tons of goods by road to the EU, from which it imported 26.816.000 tons (Eurostat 2015)

 

Regarding the Spanish market, it is worth noting that the United Kingdom is the fourth most important market in terms of exports after France, Germany and Italywith an amount of nearly €19.000 billion per year and growing steadily for several years. In this respect, the figures for Foreign Trade Report of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness The figures for December 2016 reflect that Spain's exports to the United Kingdom They represent 7,5% of our country's total sales worldwide, with a year-on-year increase of 5,1%.

 

Furthermore, the Spanish imports coming from United KingdomThese figures, which are around 13.000 billion euros annually, place the British country as the sixth largest supplier market for Spain, representing 4,1% of our total imports, with a decrease of 11% in 2016.

 

 

Truck traffic through the Eurotunnel to the United Kingdom increased by 11% in 2016, to 1.641.638 units, reaching a total of 25 million since 1994.

 

 

The trade balance, positive and with an upward trend since 2010, indicates the close trade relationship they have United Kingdom and SpainFurthermore, in terms of investment, the United Kingdom was the third largest investor in Spain in 2015, accounting for 11,4% of the total investments received in the country.

 

Regarding truck traffic, during the past year a total of 4,4 million drivers of goods transport vehicles moved between UK and Europe, of which 1.641.638 were vehicles transported via Eurotunnel across Britain and the continent, representing a record increase of over 11% annually. These figures mean that a total of 25 million trucks have crossed the English Channel via the Eurotunnel since its inauguration for the transport of industrial vehicles, between the French port of Calais and the British port of DoverIn 1994.

 

The International Road Transport Association and Brexit

 

Given this scenario, from ASTIC An appeal is made for “calm and vigilance in the face of the process” Brexit“since “a period of negotiation and implementation is now beginning, which will be long, and the important thing is that at its end a framework of bilateral agreements is established that guarantees the smooth transit of goods with United Kingdom", Says Ramón Valdivia, general director of ASTIC.

 

While it is true that establishing borders at key points such as Calais o GibraltarWhile this could disrupt the daily routine of transporters, Valdivia comments that “in sectoral terms, while not ideal, it shouldn't pose a major problem.” The Association anticipates that if a border similar to the current one is ultimately established in Algeciras across Morocco and Europe This will not "entail any loss of competitiveness and efficiency in the development of our activity."

 

However, the Association emphasizes that this is not only in United Kingdom There is the problem of new frontiers and it urges the European Union to look inwards and act more in conjunction with Europe in the face of the protectionism that has emerged more strongly in recent times.