Latest news with #SamLowe
Telegraph
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Brexit row as Labour aligns with EU on breathalysers for British cars
'Following the UK's exit from the EU, differences between UK and EU regulations mean some manufacturers make cars specifically for the GB market,' said a government spokesman. 'This can add costs to the manufacturing process, which are liable to be passed onto GB consumers, so we're considering aligning with EU car safety regulations to keep car prices down.' Unlike the animal health rules, the European Commission has not asked the UK to align on car safety, which is a purely British decision. British and European law were identical, but in 2022, after the UK left the EU, Brussels introduced the General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2), which means the rules have diverged. From July last year, all new vehicles in the EU have had to be pre-installed with an interface allowing a breathalyser-based locking system to be connected to the car. This system stops the car working if the driver fails the breathalyser test. The GSR2 also requires Event Data Recorders (EDRs) – similar to airplane black boxes – and Driver Drowsiness Warning (DDAW) in new vehicles. DDAW uses technology to monitor drivers and alert them if they appear to be getting sleepy, while EDRs record data such as the speed travelled before an accident. GSR2 rules already apply on all cars sold in Northern Ireland, which continues to follow many EU rules under the Brexit deal to prevent a hard Irish land border. Divergence risks making it more difficult for Northern Irish consumers to access the British car market, with fears it could push up costs if it continues for much longer. The Government believes that aligning with the EU rules will protect the UK's internal market and mean Northern Irish drivers can keep buying from the mainland. It told The Telegraph all regulatory changes were assessed for their impact on safety and cost. It has already changed British law to mirror Brussels' regulations on in-car e-call systems. The systems automatically contact emergency services if there is a serious accident. There have also been moves to create the legal base for the installation of the breathalyser technology, but not yet to make it mandatory. Even though the safety technology is not compulsory in Britain, many manufacturers install it already because their vehicles are destined for the EU market. Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said: 'With the heavily integrated nature of the UK and European automotive sectors, regulatory alignment supports efficient production, keeping costs down for consumers while retaining the widest possible model choice.' Sam Lowe, a trade expert and partner at Flint Global, said: 'Ensuring you only need one type approval for the entire European market is a cost saver for anyone selling across all the different countries even if the UK for example had a distinct, better or more simple, regulation. 'The savings have to be pretty big to offset the cost of doing things twice and slightly differently.' 'Alignment by stealth' However, industry sources and the Government said there was some evidence that manufacturers had begun making cars just for the British market, which is the second largest in Europe. Brexiteers said that proved that divergence could work and accused the Government of 'alignment by stealth'. Labour has used statutory instruments, a mechanism to update legislation, to mirror the EU changes to regulations already on British law books as a legacy of bloc membership. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former Tory leader, said: 'They are sneaking this through because statutory instruments do not end up in debate. This is a game being played out where they keep incrementally moving back towards the European Union. This is their plan. This is not a one-off.' Sir Iain said that aligning to typically more draconian EU rules would make cars more expensive and trade deals with car-producing countries, such as the US, harder. 'It screws up all your trade potential elsewhere. Your negotiating capacity is massively reduced,' he added. 'We lose all the competition, all the trade potential, and we lose control. Because now some faceless bureaucrats in Brussels run the UK, which is what we left the EU to stop.' Mark Francois, the chairman of the Conservative European Research Group, added, 'This is still rule-taking from the EU, however you try and dress it up. Our car industry is already under massive pressure from Chinese dumping of electric vehicles on world markets, so something which stifles domestic innovation and adds to regulatory burdens hardly helps.'
Channel 4
12-07-2025
- Business
- Channel 4
‘US tariffs are here to stay' says European trade expert
President Trump says he's imposing 30% tariffs on goods from Mexico and the European Union, starting from the beginning of next month. Mr Trump accused Mexico of failing to do enough to prevent the USA from becoming a 'Narco-Trafficking playground'. And it's a blow to the EU's attempt to negotiate a more favourable trade deal. We speak to the European trade expert, Sam Lowe.
Malaysia Sun
02-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
EU blocks UK from joining pan-European trade network FT
London has reportedly sought to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean convention to support its exporters in the wake of Brexit The EU has refused to allow the UK join a streamlined network that offers lower tariffs to 20 countries that trade with the bloc, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing officials. According to the article, the UK had sought to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) convention, established in 2012 to align rules of origin across trade deals between the EU and countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The framework allows manufacturers to qualify for lower tariffs when using components sourced from multiple member countries. Since leaving the EU in 2020, Britain has ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union, but business groups have backed PEM membership as a practical step to help exporters cope with new trade barriers. The UK government included the plan in the trade strategy it published last week, saying it could reduce "complex paperwork" and provide businesses with more flexibility. Trade experts say the move depends on EU approval, as the UK would need to amend its post-Brexit trade agreement with Brussels to adopt PEM rules - even though the convention itself is not exclusive to the EU. "For it to be meaningful for the UK, the EU would need to agree to incorporate the PEM rules of origin into the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This gives the EU de facto blocking powers," Sam Lowe, trade lead at the consultancy Flint Global, told the FT. EU officials told the outlet that Brussels had previously indicated it was open to the idea, but now sees the move as not in the bloc's interest. The European Commission reportedly fears that UK goods could unfairly qualify for low-tariff access. The rejection marks the first sign of tension since both sides declared a "reset" in relations at a May summit, where they pledged closer energy ties and progress on a veterinary deal to ease agrifood checks. Separately, the EU is demanding full UK compliance with the Windsor Framework, agreed upon in February 2023, before signing off on a veterinary deal that would ease checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea. Northern Ireland, part of the UK, shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state, and continues to follow some EU rules to avoid a hard border. The final phase of the framework took effect on July 1. Retailers have called the new labelling and customs rules "bureaucratic madness," as hundreds of products now face extra checks when moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The UK has said it remains committed to the framework and continues to engage with PEM members, including the EU. (
Russia Today
02-07-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
EU blocks UK from joining pan-European trade network
The EU has refused to allow the UK join a streamlined network that offers lower tariffs to 20 countries that trade with the bloc, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing officials. According to the article, the UK had sought to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) convention, established in 2012 to align rules of origin across trade deals between the EU and countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The framework allows manufacturers to qualify for lower tariffs when using components sourced from multiple member countries. Since leaving the EU in 2020, Britain has ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union, but business groups have backed PEM membership as a practical step to help exporters cope with new trade barriers. The UK government included the plan in the trade strategy it published last week, saying it could reduce 'complex paperwork' and provide businesses with more flexibility. Trade experts say the move depends on EU approval, as the UK would need to amend its post-Brexit trade agreement with Brussels to adopt PEM rules – even though the convention itself is not exclusive to the EU. 'For it to be meaningful for the UK, the EU would need to agree to incorporate the PEM rules of origin into the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This gives the EU de facto blocking powers,' Sam Lowe, trade lead at the consultancy Flint Global, told the FT. EU officials told the outlet that Brussels had previously indicated it was open to the idea, but now sees the move as not in the bloc's interest. The European Commission reportedly fears that UK goods could unfairly qualify for low-tariff access. The rejection marks the first sign of tension since both sides declared a 'reset' in relations at a May summit, where they pledged closer energy ties and progress on a veterinary deal to ease agrifood checks. Separately, the EU is demanding full UK compliance with the Windsor Framework, agreed upon in February 2023, before signing off on a veterinary deal that would ease checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea. Northern Ireland, part of the UK, shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state, and continues to follow some EU rules to avoid a hard border. The final phase of the framework took effect on July 1. Retailers have called the new labelling and customs rules 'bureaucratic madness,' as hundreds of products now face extra checks when moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. The UK has said it remains committed to the framework and continues to engage with PEM members, including the EU.
Reuters
25-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
How to navigate Trump's trade wars: podcast
LONDON, Feb 25 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Follow on Apple, opens new tab or Spotify, opens new tab. Listen on the Reuters app, opens new tab. Read the episode transcript. Listen to the podcast, opens new tab The US president has slapped tariffs on Mexico, Canada, steel, aluminium, and is threatening more. Few have come into force, though. In this episode of The Big View podcast, Sam Lowe of Flint Global explains the different types of levies, and what they mean for global trade. FURTHER READING Trump reciprocal tariffs are key test of EU unity US is biggest loser from Trump's metals tariffs EU's Trump plan requires carrots, sticks and vibes Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement, opens new tab for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit opens new tab to opt-out of targeted advertising. For more insights like these, click here, opens new tab to try Breakingviews for free.
