Part of 2. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:03 pm on 6 June 2017.
I've met with the Ford CEO and also Ford Europe, and there are discussions taking place between the Minister and officials. It is true to say that there are concerns about what will happen following the United Kingdom’s departure from Europe. Nobody believes that there will be any kind of complete agreement in March 2019, and so the transitional arrangements will be crucial for Ford, as with other manufacturers. This is something that Ford is discussing. They’ve been talking to us about it, and, of course, our standpoint is this: that it is vital for Ford and a number of other companies in Wales that they have unfettered access to the European market.