[ad_1]
The Brexit talks between London and Brussels are entering the final phase, and Britain is proving to be emphatically self-confident. The island has already left the EU; it is not clear what future business relationships will look like.
The British are still part of the internal market and the customs union, but the transition period expires at the end of the year. The question is whether a free trade agreement between the EU member states and the Kingdom is possible or whether it will be broken altogether. Then, the “no-deal” scenario would be a reality and the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules would come into effect. Then there would be tariffs, wait times for trucks at the border, and a paper war that would complicate trade.
Negotiations will resume this Tuesday and time is of the essence. In a few weeks a new treaty must be found between the EU and Brussels. Theoretically it is possible to extend the deadline, as the past has shown. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson does not want to get involved: a deal must be on the table by October 15 at the latest, he says, otherwise there will be no free trade agreement. Then they will have to go their separate ways. Before the talks start, he tells the European Union’s negotiating partners that, as a Briton, you will do what you have to do.
“Australian solution”
In London this position is underlined by the presentation of a plan B: the “Australian solution”. This is specifically anticipated, with Tony Abott, the former Australian Prime Minister, appointed as trade adviser to the UK government. This provokes malice, especially in the British Parliament, because Australia does not have a trade agreement with the European Union. There is only one framework agreement, which mainly concerns technical issues. Most of the trade is based on WTO rules.
The British prime minister is not the only one undaunted by the upcoming talks. Chief negotiator David Frost said Britain had nothing to fear from a no-deal Brexit: “We will not become a dependent state, we will not compromise the principle of having control of our own laws,” Frost said, summarizing the creed. of the prime minister together. Strong sayings are primarily motivated by domestic politics. Because the British people want to finally close the grueling chapter more than four years after the June 2016 vote.
Von der Leyen warns
However, not everyone in the UK government is convinced that a “no deal” would be good for the country. There are voices that fear that the failure of the negotiations could accelerate the dissolution of Great Britain.
In fact, Scotland’s Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants to launch a second independence referendum after 2014. Most Scots are friends of the European Union, they don’t want to leave the community together with the English. However, Sturgeon cannot force a referendum, he has to depend on London’s approval, and that will not happen with Johnson.
In Brussels, the adventurous line of the British makes the head tremble. EU chief negotiator Michael Barnier points out the considerable difficulties in the negotiations: the British wanted to cook their own soup on many issues where that is not possible in terms of fair trade. If London abolishes EU regulations, but continues to enjoy the advantages of free trade, cooperation without disadvantages for the rest of the EU is not possible.
According to information from the “Financial Times”, the British could withdraw from the game before October. The newspaper reports that London plans to pass laws on Wednesday nullifying parts of the Brexit deal with the EU on state aid and border controls with Ireland. That would mean breaking the talks with Brussels.
Such plans are denied in London: they remain committed to the agreements. Earlier, the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, urged London to adhere to the commitments made in the Brexit agreement.
Solution not in sight
In the Withdrawal Agreement, London agreed to register grants for companies in the EU if they relate to business in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland companies must also submit export declarations if they wish to bring goods to mainland Britain. A single market law planned by the British government would nullify these contractual commitments, it is now said.
Brexit advocates don’t like the special rules for Northern Ireland. Here too there is the fear of a breakup.
It is unclear whether the British side is still heading for a substantial deal with the EU. Most scientists believe that it is too early to judge. In any case, the negotiations so far have not come any closer to a solution. Among other things, the issue of fishing rights is a problem.
In any case, diplomats see the British strategy as an act of self-destruction. They warn that London is in the process of completely undermining its international standing and its ability to make deals if it refrains from sticking to deals that have already been made.
