Gatt 24 is the new Catch 22 says ParcelHero

Gatt 24 is the new Catch 22 says ParcelHero
Gatt 24 is the new Catch 22 says ParcelHero

Prime Minister hopeful Boris Johnson claims Gatt Article 24 will allow free trade between the UK and the EU post a no-deal Brexit. But the international shipping expert ParcelHero says Gatt 24 can’t be implemented without a deal – making it a Catch 22 situation.

The Conservative Party leadership contender Boris Johnson claimed in a recent BBC leadership debate that Gatt Article 24 would mean no tariffs on goods crossing the EU-UK border. But the international delivery expert ParcelHero says that Article 24 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Gatt) can only apply if all sides agree. And since a no-deal Brexit means there has been no agreement, Gatt 24 cannot apply.

Gatt 24 is the new Catch 22 says ParcelHero
Gatt 24 is the new Catch 22 says ParcelHero

In the BBC interview Mr Johnson said: "There will be no tariffs, there will be no quotas because what we want to do is to get a standstill in our current arrangements under Gatt 24, or whatever it happens to be, until such a time as we have negotiated the [free trade agreement]." Concludes David: ‘In fact, Gatt Article 24 is of no relevance if we cannot agree Brexit terms with the EU by October 31st. Instead - if we crash out without a deal - we will be trading with our EU neighbours under WTO (World Trade Organisation) rules.’