Fact checks around imports, exports and trade figures
Europe
A new claim about GATT 24 runs into an old problem: the EU probably won’t agree to it, and it doesn’t explain that it would mean significant barriers to trade with the EU. Read
Europe
The vast majority of African countries can export cocoa to the EU tariff-free. Read
98% of global trade is done by members of the WTO, but most of this trade is done via trade agreements, not WTO rules. Read
Europe
Free ports (areas within countries where import tariffs don’t apply) exist within the EU, but in a more limited form than elsewhere in the world. Read
Europe
It’s incorrect to say we can only export lamb to Japan because of the EU-Japan trade deal. It’s because Japan lifted a ban on lamb imports from the UK. Read
Europe
Boris Johnson claimed that EU regulation required kipper sellers to pack kippers in ice. This is not an EU regulation – it is UK regulation. Read
Europe
A claim that a new analysis shows the UK will be £135 billion richer after Brexit is based on an old report from Economists for Free Trade. Most other economists think the UK will be worse off. Read
This viral post about a no deal Brexit exaggerates our EU payments and the “free trade” opportunities of no deal, but makes other correct claims. Read
Europe
Bank of England governor Mark Carney said Brexit is the first test of the new global order, not that it could usher in a golden age of trade. Read
Europe
There could in theory be a short “standstill” transition period after a no deal Brexit, but this isn’t the same as the two year “implementation period” set out in the withdrawal agreement Read
