EU trade chief says it ‘could consider’ UK joining pan-Europe customs deal

Maroš Šefčovič said the EU could consider allowing the UK to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean convention. Photograph: Ronald Wittek/EPA

The EU’s new trade chief has said the bloc could consider including the UK in a pan-European trade agreement, but emphasised that “the ball is in the UK’s court”.

While the UK’s Labour government has ruled out returning to the single market and customs union after Brexit, the possibility of joining a continent-wide deal could open the door to closer cooperation with the EU and bolster much-needed economic growth.