+UPDATE+
Boris Johnson& #39;s "Japanese gamble" implodes.
Earlier this year UK govt attempted a high-stakes gamble with UK car industry.
Little remarked upon outside the industry at the time - it was an attempt to "do" Brexit & save the jobs of car workers.
He just lost.
A Thread
Boris Johnson& #39;s "Japanese gamble" implodes.
Earlier this year UK govt attempted a high-stakes gamble with UK car industry.
Little remarked upon outside the industry at the time - it was an attempt to "do" Brexit & save the jobs of car workers.
He just lost.
A Thread
2/
Absurd as this sounds - the UK govt agreed products - specifically car products - from Japan or South Korea would be stamped âMade in Britainâ in a plan to save the UK car industry post Brexit.
Why did he do this? https://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/news/cars-produced-in-japan-to-be-stamped-made-in-britain-under-johnsons-brexit-plans/">https://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/news/cars...
Absurd as this sounds - the UK govt agreed products - specifically car products - from Japan or South Korea would be stamped âMade in Britainâ in a plan to save the UK car industry post Brexit.
Why did he do this? https://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/news/cars-produced-in-japan-to-be-stamped-made-in-britain-under-johnsons-brexit-plans/">https://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/news/cars...
3/
The point was Nissan & Toyota - key Japanese car makers in UK - were to be safeguarded against Brexit.
He needed to do that as automotive sector worth ÂŁ18bn to the UK economy & directly employing 168,000 people with hundreds of thousands more in supply, retail & servicing.
The point was Nissan & Toyota - key Japanese car makers in UK - were to be safeguarded against Brexit.
He needed to do that as automotive sector worth ÂŁ18bn to the UK economy & directly employing 168,000 people with hundreds of thousands more in supply, retail & servicing.
4/
Problem is & #39;rules of origin& #39; demand 55% of value of a good must come from UK or EU to benefit from tariff reductions â because usually the figure is only 44% for a âMade in UKâ car.
Johnson tried to convince the Japanese he could win the EU round to his "Japanese gamble".
Problem is & #39;rules of origin& #39; demand 55% of value of a good must come from UK or EU to benefit from tariff reductions â because usually the figure is only 44% for a âMade in UKâ car.
Johnson tried to convince the Japanese he could win the EU round to his "Japanese gamble".
5/
As confirmed today, Johnson& #39;s gamble failed.
Senior car industry figures are complaining the govt could have won a deal that safeguarded Japanese input....but UK prioritised fishing rights & state aid powers instead.
So what happens now? https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54345882">https://www.bbc.com/news/busi...
As confirmed today, Johnson& #39;s gamble failed.
Senior car industry figures are complaining the govt could have won a deal that safeguarded Japanese input....but UK prioritised fishing rights & state aid powers instead.
So what happens now? https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54345882">https://www.bbc.com/news/busi...
6/
The Japanese are now faced with a dilemna. They must stump up extra costs of reengineering EU (or UK) made content into UK cars or take a hit in reduced exports to EU through their UK factories.
The probability is that a mix of both will happen.
But one thing is clear....
The Japanese are now faced with a dilemna. They must stump up extra costs of reengineering EU (or UK) made content into UK cars or take a hit in reduced exports to EU through their UK factories.
The probability is that a mix of both will happen.
But one thing is clear....