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Boris Johnson is fighting hard once again. The British prime minister threatens a no-deal Brexit in negotiations with the European Union on the future relationship after the UK leaves the EU. If bilateral negotiations do not produce a result by mid-October, Johnson said, he would see no point in continuing the talks. “Then there will be no free trade agreement between us,” he said. Even without a deal, the prime minister said it would be, as he has always stressed, “a good result for the UK”. Because after the end of the transition period on December 31 they will regain “full control over our laws, our rules and our fishing grounds” and, as a result, “will prosper mightily.”
“Unprecedented break”
The eighth round of Brexit negotiations, which have stalled quite a bit in recent months, will begin today. Johnson’s threat to leave the negotiating table may be aimed at putting pressure on the other side to move forward. However, their tactics were undermined by an exclusive Financial Times report based on deliberate indiscretions. The newspaper appealed to three government experts and reported that two laws would be drafted to repeal parts of the withdrawal agreement between the UK and the EU signed, ratified and internationally valid by Johnson. Breaking an international treaty would be unprecedented and, according to the Financial Times, “runs the risk of collapsing trade talks with Brussels.” According to the newspaper, the British government wants to undermine the agreement in two areas. The aim is to avoid Northern Irish companies having to create so-called exit summary declarations for goods going from the Irish island to Great Britain. The agreement also stipulates that the UK must inform the EU about state aid it is providing to companies that could affect the Northern Ireland merchandise market. This obligation to provide information must be severely restricted.
Environment Minister George Eustice tested damage control. It was just, he said, “some unsolved problems.” The government spokesman also assured that the agreements will be maintained. British opposition politicians, however, sounded the alarm. Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon was angry: “If this is true, it means the rejection of a contract negotiated by the British government”, which “will significantly increase the probability of a no-deal.” Labor MP Lisa Nandy said: “This undermines our moral authority at a key moment.” And former Brexit official Anton Spisak said: “Crazy. Britain has an international obligation to honor its post-exit commitments. If the government wants to override it with national laws, it will send a clear signal to international ones. Send partner: ‘Can’t trust us.’
Brussels is waiting
At first, Brussels reacted cautiously and wants to wait until the British government makes an official decision on the measures related to the exit agreement. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “I am confident that the British government will implement the Withdrawal Agreement, an obligation under international law and a precondition for a future association.” With which she calmly indicated that the Brexit negotiations will only work if Boris Johnson adheres to the rules.
