No-deal Brexit will not 'fundamentally impair' UK-Singapore trade: MTI

EVEN if the United Kingdom (UK) leaves the European Union (EU) without a withdrawal agreement having been agreed upon, the Ministry of Trade and Industry's assessment is that "trade between the UK and Singapore will not be fundamentally impaired", said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing in a written reply to a parliamentary question on Monday night.

Singapore is also prepared to work with the UK to apply the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA) in a UK-Singapore context that could form the basis of a future trade agreement between both countries, he added.

He was replying to Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC Desmond Choo, who had asked how Singapore would be hit by a no-deal Brexit, and how Brexit will affect the ratification and implementation of the EUSFTA. The ratification of the EUSFTA and EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement (EUSIPA) is on track and is not affected by Brexit, with both pacts expected to be voted on by the European Parliament during its next sitting from Feb 11 to 14, 2019, said Mr Chan.

"Pending clarity on post-Brexit arrangements, any consequential amendments to the EUSFTA can be addressed during the implementation phase."

Mr Chan noted that the UK is the second-largest economy in the EU and the fifth largest globally, as well as an important economic partner of Singapore. "Like other countries, we are keeping a close watch on Brexit, which remains set for March 29, 2019," he said.

He gave a run-down of three possible scenarios.

Under the first, in which the UK and the EU agree on a withdrawal agreement, the said agreement will include an implementation period lasting until Dec 31, 2020. During this period, the UK will continue to be functionally treated as an EU member state and remain a party to the EU's international agreements, including the EUSFTA when ratified by the European Parliament as is the target for 2019.

"This scenario offers the greatest predictability and stability while minimising disruption to businesses," said Mr Chan.

Under the second "hard Brexit" or no-deal scenario, the UK will cease to be a party to the EU's agreements with third countries when it formally leaves the EU on March 29. This would mean that the EUSFTA will not apply between the UK and Singapore, said Mr Chan, but added: "This in itself would not impact our trading relationship with the UK as the current tariff and non-tariff regime for Singapore companies trading with the UK are based on WTO (World Trade Organization) terms which would continue to apply."

A third scenario is that the UK's formal departure from the EU is postponed beyond March 29. In this case, the prospect of an imminent no-deal Brexit would be diminished, though there may be a period of continued uncertainty, said Mr Chan.

Noting the substantial trade and investment linkages between Singapore and the UK, with many businesses operating in the other's markets across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, professional services and consumer goods, Mr Chan said: "MTI's assessment is that trade between the UK and Singapore will not be fundamentally impaired."

"Nonetheless, owing to the integrated nature of today's global supply chains as well as the extensive trade linkages that spans the UK, EU, and the rest of the world, a no-deal Brexit could weigh on consumer and business sentiments in the UK and EU, with potential negative effects on global growth," he acknowledged.

The MTI and Enterprise Singapore will continue to work closely with Singapore companies to help with any near-term company-specific disruption, said Mr Chan. This includes helping companies link up with the appropriate authorities to work through continuity issues in areas such as labour and talent supply, or delays in shipments that might be routed between the UK and the EU. The MTI is also in close contact with UK economic agencies on measures to further strengthen both countries' strong trade and investment relations.