A leading UK logistics industry group says recent progress in resetting the United Kingdom’s trading relationship with the European Union could play a key role in addressing the post‑Brexit trade imbalance between the two partners — but only if barrier‑reducing measures are implemented quickly and focused on reducing friction at the border.
Speaking at a major transport and logistics conference in June 2025, the group’s president highlighted analysis showing that UK exports to the EU have fallen much more sharply than imports since Brexit. Between 2017 and 2024, exports to the EU declined by about 23 %, while imports slipped by only 5 %, pointing to greater barriers for outbound British trade that continue to impact freight, manufacturing and export sectors.
The disparity also shows up in containerised trade — with exports down over 20 %, compared with a comparatively smaller drop in imports — a pattern the logistics body said reflects friction created by regulatory and border‑control changes introduced after Brexit, particularly those affecting sanitary and phytosanitary checks on perishable and agricultural goods. Experts in the logistics sector argue that such requirements have raised costs and caused delays that make competitive access to EU markets harder for UK exporters.
To counteract these trends, the logistics group backed swift implementation of revised border procedures negotiated as part of an EU–UK “reset” summit earlier in 2025. Proponents say that reducing red tape, shortening customs lead times and agreeing on mutually recognised standards — especially for perishable cargo — could help stimulate outbound trade flows, relieve pressure on logistics networks, and ultimately help rebalance trade with the UK’s largest trading partner.
Industry leaders also emphasised the importance of continued technical cooperation and business involvement in shaping how new agreements are applied, noting that interim improvements, especially on major supply chains such as food and plant products, could deliver early economic benefits if implemented quickly and effectively.
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