UK Issues Brexit Notice to WTO

The United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade issued a notice Feb. 1 to World Trade Organization members about its withdrawal from the European Union. The notice clarified that the U.K. will continue to be a WTO member, details the U.K.’s continuity agreements and sets out “implications” of the U.K.’s exit from the EU. The U.K. said it is consulting with WTO members about a variety of trade topics, including tariff-rate quotas, its schedule of concessions and specific commitments in services and more. The country said it has “always been a strong supporter” of the WTO, looks forward to partnering with developing countries within the WTO to strengthen trade, is “committed” to meeting its WTO obligations in its “future trade regime,” and will make itself “available to answer any questions that Members might have.”