UK reassures SACU about future trade relations

The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) has welcomed the UK’s intention of preventing disruption of trade relations with other countries as it leaves the European Union (EU). This was affirmed in a Joint Statement issued by SACU and the UK following discussions between Trade Ministers from the two parties in Johannesburg on Wednesday. “The UK re-affirmed its commitment to the trade arrangement under the current EU-SADC [Southern African Development Community] EPA [Economic Partnership Agreement] and to maintain current market access to the UK following its withdrawal from the EU, and to ensure continuity of the effects of the EU-SADC EPA,” noted the statement. “The two sides agreed to continue discussions to explore ways to ensure that the existing trade arrangement between the UK and SACU currently governed by the EU-SADC EPA will not be disrupted by the UK’s departure from the EU, and to ensure continuity of the effects of the EU-SADC EPA.” These discussions will likely be of a technical nature to guarantee the continuation of the current trade arrangements, ensuring the replication of the EPA. They would not involve any renegotiation of the trading relationship.