Trade agreements until 31 December 2020
The UK has left the EU. The Withdrawal Agreement sets out how the UK is able to continue to be covered by EU-third country trade agreements until 31 December 2020.
On this basis, EU trade agreements can continue to apply to the UK.
Where EU trade agreements apply, UK and EU content will continue to count toward the rules of origin requirements in EU trade agreements until 31 December 2020, in exactly the same way as now.
The EU has issued a notification to third countries outlining this approach.
Trade agreements from 1 January 2021
After 31 December 2020, EU trade agreements will not apply to the UK.
The UK is seeking to reproduce the effects of existing EU agreements for when they no longer apply to the UK.
This will ensure continuity of trading arrangements for UK businesses.
If we do not reproduce the effects of an existing EU agreement, trade with other World Trade Organization (WTO) members will take place on WTO terms when EU trade agreements cease to apply to the UK.
Find out more about trading under WTO terms.
Source gov.uk
