Insider
Politics
How BREXIT is going to affect
the cost of products from the EU
In truth, if the withdrawal agreement is ap-
proved and there’s a transition period from
next year, any EU citizen who is here by the
end of 2020 (when the transition is due to fin-
ish) should be able to stay and, once resident
for five years, can apply for permanent settled
status. This principle applies if there’s a with-
drawal agreement - if there isn’t and the UK
Demonstrators in an anti-Brexit protest (Getty
leaves with 'no deal', then Theresa May has
Images)
said she would still guarantee the rights of EU citizens living here.
Regarding claims that a no-deal Brexit will cause food costs to rise, the government has put for-
ward suggestions to the EU on how they can continue to trade with each other in a way that
doesn't involve extra checks and bureaucracy that could drive up food costs. Both the EU and
the UK have said that they would like to see no tariffs (charges on imported goods) across all
areas, including food. And crucially, only 30% of the food we eat is supplied from the EU.
However, this depends on what the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU is going to look
like. Currently, the UK is in the ‘Single Market’ and the ’Customs Union’ - which allow for friction-
less trading between EU countries. A looser trade relationship could lead to extra checks at
borders and more red tape – which could potentially drive up food costs.
Politicians who want a much looser relationship - a so-called 'clean Brexit' - say it would allow
them to strike more trade deals with the rest of the world and lower tariffs on food from coun-
tries including the US or China. It could mean cheaper food, but it could also mean food with
different safety and welfare standards, and some have argued that it could drive some UK
food producers out of business.
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