That exit agreement regulates Brexit itself, the way in which the British are leaving the European Union and the consequences thereof. It has been negotiated for more than two years. The formal Brexit took place on January 31, 2020, but the British will only really leave the EU at the end of this year. Until then, there will be a transition period during which the United Kingdom and the EU will negotiate a new trade agreement.
Johnson now wants to reverse some agreements made with the EU, including on the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland and on state aid. The bill immediately provoked a lot of criticism, both at home and in the European Union. But Johnson apparently persists. The bill was approved for the first time in the British Parliament last night.
Johnson’s opposition and some party members tried to stop the proposal. They fear for the international reputation of the United Kingdom, because the bill is against an international agreement and would therefore be contrary to international law. Johnson himself calls his proposal a “safety net” in the event of no trade agreement with the EU.
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