A number of prominent multinational businesses have warned that “time is running out” for Prime Minister Theresa May to provide British businesses with clarity on what post-Brexit trade might look like for the UK and Europe.
In recent days, company bosses from the likes of BP, E.ON, Royal Mail and Nestle have stressed that businesses want trade with European nations to be as “frictionless as with a customs union” once Britain leaves the bloc, The Guardian reports.
During a private Downing Street meeting with Ms May and Brexit Secretary David Davis, business leaders warned that they would cut investment unless negotiators were able to provide them with greater clarity on the issue.
The European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT), which represents Europe’s 50 largest companies, stressed that the “uninterrupted flow of goods” was “essential” to the economies of both the European Union (EU) and the UK.
“We need clarity and certainty, because time is running out. Uncertainty causes less investment,” the group said.
Following the meeting, a spokesperson on behalf of Downing Street said that the Prime Minister has “recognised the necessity of providing certainty for businesses” and that an “open and productive discussion” concerning the issue will continue over the coming weeks.