UK officials suggested single market for goods with Europe
The BBC understands that UK officials suggested establishing a single market for commodities trade with the EU as part of the next phase of its Brexit reset.
According to industry analysts briefed on the process, the proposal hasn't been taken forward at this point, following EU scepticism, as attention shifts to the specifics of existing talks over food, farm, and electricity trade.
The step does point to a greater desire for a closer post-Brexit economic relationship, ahead of a summit in the coming weeks.
In the upcoming phase of post-Brexit talks, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have been keenly requesting a much closer economic relationship with the EU.
There has been no public information on what that entails beyond recent talks on single market treatment for the trade of food, farm products, electricity, and emissions trading.
It has now been reported that UK officials have suggested that the next summit may be much more ambitious, with one option addressing frictionless trade in a single market for all commodities spanning the United Kingdom-EU single market.
A European Commission spokesperson refused to comment on the UK's plan to the Guardian, which first announced the story, but said they see scope to expand
industrial defence cooperation, quoting the United Kingdom's need for talks on a UKraine loan.
The government did not disclose the specifics of any talks, but it acknowledged that a number of options had been submitted to the EU in recent months and that discussions are ongoing.
British business groups have been briefed on the move and the EU's protest that such an exciting request will not be negotiable with the government's existing red lines on, for example, freedom of movement.
Any ministers believe that significant recent shifts in the US's role in Europe could lead to more flexible thinking in continental capitals about the chances of economic integration between the UK and EU.
A summit is expected in July.
The government announced a EUropean Partnership Bill in the recent King's Address, which would provide a framework in which UK and EU legislation can be aligned in key areas being negotiated, such as food trade. The government could also do the same in another sector by using this court system.
