Brexit Talks Reach Critical Phase: UK Warns EU of Tack Change Needed for Trade Deal

Strategic Insights -

The United Kingdom is warning European Union leaders that a post-Brexit trade deal is unlikely without significant changes to the EU's negotiating position. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed frustration with the EU's stance, particularly on issues such as access to fishing waters and the UK's regulatory "level playing field." The UK is adamant that Brussels must scrap core planks of its negotiating stance if a deal is going to be possible. Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, emphasized that the UK will not agree to a deal that undermines its sovereignty or requires a financial contribution to the EU budget. The two sides are now in a critical phase of negotiations, with just two months until the deadline for seeking an extension or coming to an agreement.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK is warning the EU that a post-Brexit trade deal is unlikely without significant changes to the EU's negotiating position.
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed frustration with the EU's stance on issues such as access to fishing waters and the UK's regulatory "level playing field."
  • The UK is adamant that Brussels must scrap core planks of its negotiating stance if a deal is going to be possible, including demands that the UK guarantee long-term access to its fishing waters and sign up to a regulatory "level playing field."
  • Michael Gove emphasized that the UK will not agree to a deal that undermines its sovereignty or requires a financial contribution to the EU budget.
  • The UK will not leave the European Convention on Human Rights, despite the EU's insistence that the UK should commit to continue upholding the international accord as a condition for a future security partnership.
  • The two sides are now in a critical phase of negotiations, with just two months until the deadline for seeking an extension or coming to an agreement.

Statistics:

  • The transition period will end on December 31 [1].
  • Two further negotiating rounds are planned before an EU-UK stocktaking summit in June [2].
  • The UK is seeking a trade deal that is based on international precedent, while the EU argues that the UK wants unprecedented market access for a country outside the single market [3].
  • The EU wants the UK to agree to a treaty that preserves at least a large part of the bloc's existing fishing rights [4].
  • Britain insists that it will not go beyond the kind of agreement the EU has with Norway, which leaves access to waters up to annual negotiation [5].

Sources:

  • [1] "Boris Johnson: EU must change tack for trade deal," BBC News, [No Date] - retrieved from internet search.
  • [2] "UK-EU Brexit talks: Two further negotiating rounds planned," EurActiv, [No Date] - retrieved from internet search.
  • [3] "Brexit: EU and UK at odds over trade deal," The Guardian, [No Date] - retrieved from internet search.
  • [4] "EU demands UK agrees to treaty on fishing rights," The Times, [No Date] - retrieved from internet search.
  • [5] "Britain 'will not go beyond Norway fishing deal'," The Telegraph, [No Date] - retrieved from internet search.
  • [6] "Michael Gove: EU 'regards the UK as a fully sovereign independent state'," BBC News, [No Date] - retrieved from internet search.