Geert Bourgeois calls for a customs union with the British

Minister-President Geert Bourgeois is calling on the British to secure prosperity and jobs on both sides of the Channel and is therefore advocating frankly and openly for a customs union with the UK.

Preferably no Brexit

The rejection of the Brexit deal by the British House of Commons is creating an additional period of uncertainty for our citizens and companies. This strongly increases the chance of a chaotic “no deal” Brexit. Minister-President Geert Bourgeois says: “I would prefer for there to be no Brexit, but if it does happen, a customs union is a minimum requirement. It is unthinkable that after 30 March it would be less easy for us to carry out trade with the United Kingdom than with Turkey. A customs union also meets the most important demands of the British.”

Irish border question

For example, in the case of a customs union, there is no free movement of people, no jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and no contribution to the Union’s budget. In addition, a customs union offers a solution for the Irish border question.

It is true that the British are then dependent on the European Union for trade agreements. “But I know from experience that only a large block like the EU can conclude strong trade agreements worldwide. Furthermore, 55% of the UK’s exports are related to the European trading block,” Geert Bourgeois concludes.