The FTA has called on the UK government not to act upon Prime Minister Theresa May’s previous promise to take “no deal rather than a bad deal”, as Brexit negotiations formally begin today (19 June).

Instead, the association called for the government to keep an open mind during the negotiations and to prioritise trade and logistics to ensure freight can continue to move freely throughout Europe.

Pauline Bastidon, FTA head of European policy, said: “Leaving the EU without a deal and an agreement on a transitional period would be the worst possible scenario.”

Bastidon called on the government to “adopt a pragmatic approach when negotiating with the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier and his team.”

She added: “FTA has asked the government to keep an open mind on solutions needed for the post-Brexit period and to reconsider its position on a customs union with the EU.”

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