Region battling post-Brexit uncertainty as US trade mission comes to town

A US TRADE mission to the UK will bring several Rhode Island delegates to Yorkshire for one of the first missions since the Brexit decision was made.

Jeffrey Wyant, founder of Coast to Coast Fulfilment Inc, is among 15 delegates from retail distribution businesses looking to visit UK manufacturers.

Mr Wyant said that the weaker pound and prospect of EU trade barriers was making the US look attractive to UK businesses and was something the delegation wants to capitalise on.

He said: “We already trade with a number of UK firms, providing warehousing, customer service, and distribution to the major US retailers, wholesalers and also direct to consumers,

“The dynamics of the markets post the June vote to leave the EU have led to increased interest from the Yorkshire region in exporting to the US,” he added.

Mr Wyant continued: “We have also seen strong demand from first time exporters who have seen a problem looming with their EU order book, and also from start ups that would have likely come to the US regardless of the recent impact of the markets

“The Brexit vote was a surprise for many of us outside the UK, as well as here as I gather from our conversations with British business people, but it seems that a great many businesses are already dealing with the uncertainty, and making new plans that involve the US.”

The delegation will be scheduling meetings in London, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester in September.