Brexit: Johnson says UK has ‘opportunity to expand horizons’

Logistics companies have reported smooth traffic at freight ports following fears the new customs systems would pose issues. On Monday, Europe’s busiest roll-on roll-off ferry port, Dover, reported a steady stream of traffic.

Speaking to BBC News, an employee at shipping and logistics company DFDS said most freight vehicles had been given the go ahead.

He said: “We’re quite happy with how it’s gone… the vast majority of freight traffic have a green light to go.

“As we expected, the traffic’s been much less than last year.”

However, he explained that freight traffic is expected to pick up again “over the next week or two”.

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A port spokesperson said: “Traffic has continued to flow smoothly through the port since the Brexit transition (ended).”

Lorry drivers in the UK have already adapted to the new requirements to enter the EU, which include a Kent Access Permit for those transiting Dover.

Drivers who fail to show such documents before entering the country will be face fines of up to £300.

The permit, which proves that the driver has all the new paperwork, will prevent the formation of queues delaying incoming traffic.

The news comes as Britain’s departure from the European Union triggered concerns of an impending power grab by Germany and France.

Some EU officials said German Chancellor Angela Merkel had suggested she was willing to pursue a trade deal with China before Germany’s six-month presidency of the EU comes to an end.

Ms Merkel said an agreement with Beijing will give European firms greater access to China’s markets and help rectify unbalanced economic links.

But the deal has already sparked fears among smaller countries in the EU that they will not be able to weigh in on such issues.

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One Brussels diplomat told Politico.eu: “There’s a lot of frustration among smaller countries about the way the Commission has been used to push through one of Merkel’s pet projects at the end of her term and the end of her legacy.

“Is this the way the EU will work post-Brexit? The Brits are just out and we’re already missing their open market-oriented approach.

“If Germany weighs in too much, smaller EU countries have nothing to say.”

The deal with Beijing was negotiated for nearly seven years and will likely take at least another year to take effect.

Before the deal was reached, China’s President Xi Jinping held a video conference with Ms Merkel, French president Emmanuel Macron, European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

However, officials from Italy, Poland, Belgium and Spain lashed out at Germany for going ahead with the deal despite their adverse opinion.

They also criticised Ms Merkel for seemingly ignoring forced labour accusations against China.

Another issue that led to frustration among those nations was the potential alienation of incoming US President Joe Biden.

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