Brussels, London enter new Brexit dispute (Overview)

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The British protested last summer in Belfast against the Northern Ireland Protocol. PHOTO: Reuters

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Britain unilaterally changes the rules of trade in Northern Ireland, the EU threatens to sue

The British government has taken steps to unilaterally suspend some trade agreements with the EU after Brexit. They cover only one of the four components of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, but threaten to open a new wound in the fragile relationship between London and Brussels after the country left the EU. Some commentators even predict

the beginning of a trade war between them.

The European Commission is expected to resume the lawsuit against Britain, which began in March last year, on Wednesday. She then accused the British authorities of delaying the application of parts of the protocol on customs controls on goods entering and leaving Northern Ireland, and now of unilaterally removing provisions from it in violation of international law. EC Deputy Chief Maros Shefcovic said Brussels’ response would be proportionate, but ruled out renegotiating the protocol, which has become a bone of contention during the Brexit agreement in 2020.

At that time, in order to avoid a physical border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which is part of the EU, it was agreed that customs checks on goods arriving from the other three parts of the United Kingdom should be carried out in Northern Irish ports. remain part of the European market. However, it turned out to be quite a difficult and expensive procedure, which, against the record for the last 35 years of inflation in the UK and poor economic forecasts, creates additional difficulties for business. That is why the government introduced a bill introducing it

green corridor for goods,

who come from Northern Ireland to England, Scotland and Wales and do not leave it, exempting them from customs duties. However, this means that European tax rules and the role of the European Court of Justice as the sole arbitrator in disputes cease to apply to them.

London has promised that other goods moving from Britain through Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland and across the EU will be subject to customs clearance in Northern Irish ports, but Brussels believes such a division is impossible and violates trade agreements.

A majority of MEPs from the Northern Ireland Parliament also spoke out against the bill, saying it could lead to a trade war with the EU, undermine efforts to avoid a hard border with the Republic of Ireland and strengthen nationalist voices to separate Northern Ireland from the United kingdom that led to years of violence in the past. In addition, such a dual regulatory regime frightens businesses, as it will increase the cost of trading across the Irish Sea.

We are ready to negotiate with the EU, but they need to change the terms of this protocol, which is causing very serious problems in Northern Ireland, said British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. In a telephone conversation, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkon called on her to continue the dialogue with Brussels to ensure that the 1998 peace agreement in Northern Ireland is maintained in the future.

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