Europe’s customs regime enters a new era, following the final steps being taken in a drawn-out process of reform.
A new Union Customs Code has entered into force, with a more modern and data-led approach promised, while Brussels sets up a pan-European customs authority to boost cooperation and intelligence-sharing.
In domestic affairs, the Liberal Democrats Autumn Conference finishes today, with senior figures from parliament’s third-largest party calling for more business support and arguing for closer relations with Europe.
European customs reform enters into force
The EU Customs Reform entered into force yesterday (21 September) following a two-year process of reform.
The European Commission (EC) described it as a more integrated and modern system, with a new Union Customs Code (UCC) now in force that “recasts the legal architecture governing customs operations across the EU”.
The UCC will include new rules for e-commerce and online sellers, as well other customs modernisation measures.
Additionally, the EU Customs Authority (EUCA) has been established as part of the legislation. Based in Lile, it is designed to strengthen co-ordination between the various European domestic agencies and will also be charged with developing an EU Customs Data Hub.
“The Customs Reform is therefore not simply a technical update - it is a strategic imperative to safeguard our single market, strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and economic security, and better protect our citizens,” said Maroš Šefčovič, EC trade commissioner.
The reform package was published in the EU’s official journal last Saturday, following approval by the Council of the EU and European Parliament.
EU sanctions
The EU is also reportedly moving closer to a deal on Russian sanctions, following the failure of late-night talks yesterday (21 September).
Politico reports that France is refusing to allow the current sanctions framework to be renewed unless two tycoons – Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman – are removed from the list.
The delay is holding up the renewal of sanctions on 3,000 individuals. The Ukrainian government slammed France’s decision to remove the two from the list, while Latvia has reportedly blocked the sanctions renewal on similar grounds.
EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has called for the sanctions to be renewed. She also dismissed the recent Russian elections, saying the EU “does not and will never recognise” the “sham elections”, which saw President Vladmir Putin’s party win 355 seats in the Russian Duma in a largely uncontested campaign.
Cooper says businesses ‘desperate’ for growth
A senior Liberal Democrats has said that businesses require more support to grow, while continuing to hammer the party’s message on Brexit.
Speaking at the Liberal Democrat Conference yesterday (21 September), Daisy Cooper, the party’s deputy leader and spokesperson on the Treasury, told a session that businesses were “desperate” for help to grow. She argued for a new ‘Department for Growth’, arguing that the UK’s long-term economic policy should be split out from the Treasury.
She also attributed the UK’s economic difficulties, in part, to Brexit, arguing that the UK had imposed additional trade barriers on itself as part of its exit from the EU. She also said that the ongoing energy crisis was another example of Brexit hitting the British economy.
Cooper, an MP for St Albans, also called for a “renewables revolution” and pointed to Lib Dem leader Ed Davey’s record as energy secretary during the 2010-2015 coalition government.
As the UK’s third largest political party in parliament, the Lib Dems could play a kingmaker role in any future election. Currently, none of the Labour Party, Conservative Party or Reform UK is predicted to win outright based on polling.
Other news
· Chinese president Xi Jinping is planning to push his US counterpart Donald Trump on arms sales with Taiwan, according to Reuters
· The UK has agreed to provide military support to Saudi Arabia, as Riyad looks to fight off a resurgent Houthi menace
· The FT’s trade editor Peter Foster has raised concerns over the government’s ‘buy British’ policy, citing concerns over the economic benefits of the approach
Yesterday in trade
· The UN General Assembly prepared to open its annual meeting this week
· Trump is preparing for a face-to-face meeting with UK prime minister Andy Burnham at the UN General Assembly
· Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to restore tax free shopping for oversees tourists, despite serving as a junior minister in the Treasury when the policy was first scrapped
