Rolls-Royce expresses optimism over Brexit plans

UK engine-maker Rolls-Royce on Tuesday expressed confidence over plans for Britain’s departure from the European Union, but revealed that the pound’s Brexit-fuelled slump has left it languishing in the red.

There is an increased chance that Britain will crash out of the EU in October with no trade deal in place under new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, meaning it would default to the World Trade Organization (WTO) tariff system.

Chief Executive Warren East, speaking to BBC radio, said Rolls-Royce was well positioned because it already traded under WTO rules.

“We would obviously prefer a deal because that is probably the best chance of providing certainty for business, but we’ve always been prepared for contingency -- prepared for a no-deal of some kind,” East added.

“We’re not a ‘just-in-time’ business like some other businesses, so we are actually in a much stronger position than others.