Despite the faltering trade pact negotiations with the EU, the British government wants to adhere to a controversial law that would undermine parts of the Brexit exit agreement that is already in force. This was confirmed by Environment and Agriculture Minister George Eustice in a Sky News interview today.
The controversial clauses had been removed from the British House of Lords, but the House of Commons is due to reinsert them tomorrow, if the government wants. “These clauses are very important – especially if we leave the EU without a deal,” said Eustice.
The Single Market Act is intended to secure the movement of goods within Great Britain after the Brexit transition phase, which expires at the end of the year. However, some clauses violate the painstakingly negotiated and already applicable Brexit deal – and thus against international law.
Tariffs and trade barriers loom
Affected is the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is supposed to guarantee an open border between British Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which is part of the EU. The EU is outraged by the planned breach of the treaty – sticking to the controversial plans is likely to provide further explosive between the two sides.
Brexit countdown is on
The UK and the European Union continue to negotiate a Brexit trade pact today. Contrary to all hopes, the last phone call between EU Commission chief Ursula Von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not produce any remarkable results. Time is of the essence – there are only a few weeks left until the end of the transition period – until December 31st.
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The negotiators from Great Britain and the EU, David Frost and Michel Barnier, are to try one last time in Brussels to agree on a trade pact. A phone call at the highest level between EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night did not bring about a breakthrough. After further discussions between the negotiators today and tomorrow, the bosses want to take stock again tomorrow evening.
Should the talks fail, there will be tariffs and other trade barriers between Great Britain and the EU at the turn of the year. Because then the Brexit transition period will expire, during which everything remained largely unchanged despite the UK’s exit from the EU on January 31. The economy on both sides of the English Channel anticipates severe distortions in the event of a “no deal” outcome.
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