Aerospace and defence trade association ADS has said UK and EU negotiators must take a pragmatic approach to Brexit to protect jobs and minimise disruption.

The two sides have reached a deadlock in a bid to secure a trade deal before the UK leaves the bloc at the end of the year. The UK Government is reported to be communicating to EU leaders that if there is no Brexit deal agreed by 15 October, the UK and EU should accept that a deal will not be reached.

ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt warned a no deal scenario would be detrimental to the aerospace and defence sectors, which were already under immense pressure from a fall in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “A No Deal outcome to Brexit negotiations is the worst possible result,” he said.

Industry relies on complex pan-European supply chains

“Manufacturers in our sectors rely on complex pan-European supply chains, international regulatory arrangements, and access to the EU market as the largest destination for UK aerospace products.”

“The economic impact of the pandemic makes the cost of failure in negotiations especially severe. No Deal would bring new costs and delays that harm our ability to compete in international markets.

“UK and EU negotiators must take a pragmatic approach to delivering an ambitious deal that protects jobs by minimising disruption both here and in Europe at the end of the transition period.”
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