Smiles mask ongoing row over protocol

Despite the back-slapping at the G7 summit in Cornwall between Boris Johnson and US president Joe Biden, a UK/US trade deal remains a distant prospect.

The US focus is more on the EU than on trade relations with the UK.

As to the Northern Ireland Protocol stand-off over trade – the argument dubbed “sausage-gate” – this is set to get worse, as the process moves into full implementation.

The EU is demanding full implementation and insisting it is not being purist in its demands.

The UK choice is to implement the regulations, bringing more trade headaches, risk an all-out trade war with the EU, or accept that the easy way out is to agree to harmonise UK and EU food standards.

These are tough choices for Johnson, and they will remain issues long after the G7 leaves Cornwall.

The end of the Brexit transition period in January contributed to a drop in EU exports in January and February, according to figures from the European Commission.

However the fall in imports was greater, meaning the balance of trade remained positive.

It grew by 8% to €10.3 billion compared to the same period in 2020.

The decrease in agrifood exports was 6.5% but imports fell by more than twice that figure so, despite Brexit, EU agrifood fortunes remain strong.

As to trade with the UK, the immediate impact of Brexit was a net loss for the UK.

Exports to the EU fell by €1.38bn while imports from the EU dipped by €1.1bn. EU trade, both exports and imports, also fell with the US. Exports to Russia were down, but sales to China continued to grow.

In terms of products, exports of wheat and infant formula fell, but pigmeat exports continued to grow.

The success of the Covid vaccine has helped create a more positive view of science.

This is reflected in calls from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation for wider recognition that science guarantees a safe supply of food.

The statements were released to coincide with World Food Safety Day.

The FAO said there was a need to harness innovation to drive a sustainable food supply.

ELBOW ROOM: Boris Johnson and Joe Biden failed to resolve all their trade issues.