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Image source,EPA
On December 13, 2020, the United Kingdom and the European Union decided to postpone Brexit trade negotiations again.
After the latest round of difficult negotiations but still unable to reach an agreement, the UK and the EU decided to postpone Brexit trade negotiations again.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Von der Lein said in a joint statement that the two sides “decided to do more at this stage, and it is a responsible attitude.”
Previously, the United Kingdom and the European Union decided to set this Sunday (December 13) as the deadline for Brexit trade negotiations: either an agreement could not be reached, and the United Kingdom had no agreement to leave the Union European; o The two parties agreed to make more efforts to extend the negotiations again, with a view to December 31. An agreement was reached a few days ago.
During Sunday’s telephone negotiations on the Brexit trade deal, Johnson and Von der Lein discussed the main thorny issues that remained unresolved. But in the end, the two agreed to let negotiators on both sides continue negotiating in Brussels to see if a deal can finally be reached.
Johnson then convened a British cabinet seminar to report the decision.
Johnson said that as long as there is a ray of hope, he will not give up on the negotiations, but at the same time added that he must prepare for a “hard Brexit” just in case.
The British opposition Labor Party called on the government to deliver on its promise and ensure that an agreement is reached so that the UK can move forward.
Von der Lein said Sunday’s call with Johnson was “constructive and helpful.”
But Johnson reiterated his warning earlier this week that there is “very likely” no deal.
Brexit trade negotiations between the UK and the European Union have been ongoing since March this year, but December 31 is the last day of the Brexit transition period.
If the two sides do not reach an agreement, it means that the United Kingdom will make a “hard Brexit”, that is, no agreement to leave the European Union. The United Kingdom and the European Union will start a new bilateral relationship on January 1, 2021.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, UK and EU trade activities will comply with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). That will mean that goods traded by both parties will face various tariffs and restrictions. At the same time, it will also drive up the prices of certain commodities.
British Prime Minister Johnson warned that we should prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
Disagreement approach
The two thorny issues in trade negotiations between the UK and the EU focus mainly on two points: competition rules and fishing rights.
First, to what extent the UK will follow the EU economic rules after Brexit. The EU stated that it is determined to prevent what it calls the UK from gaining an unfair competitive advantage, that is, it enjoys tax exemption rights for its products on the EU market and at the same time has the right to establish your own standards on your own products, employment, and business grants.
The EU has reportedly given up its previous insistence on establishing a formal dispute resolution mechanism in which both parties must adhere to mutual standards and is willing to accept British requirements, but the condition is that safeguards are in place to prevent the unfair competition.
Second, there is the question of fishing rights. The European Union warned that if the United Kingdom does not allow the European Union to fish in British waters, the United Kingdom will no longer be able to enjoy special channel treatment to sell its fish products in the European Union.
But the UK emphasized that, as a sovereign country, the UK has the right to determine its own waters and the broader rules of the business game, and does not need to be controlled by the European Union.
The perspective is unknown
BBC political affairs editor Laura Kuenssberg analyzed: When will the deadline not come? This may be the case during the Brexit negotiations.
In this long and lengthy process, both sides agreed to continue the dialogue rather than walk around the table.
The circle directly participating in the talks is very small and not open to the outside world, making it difficult for people outside the circle to find out exactly what is going on. Both parties may be considering compromises.
But now there is a feeling from the outside world that the positions of both sides have been relaxed enough to allow the opportunity to reach an agreement worth pursuing.
The political need to achieve this goal is so strong that even at such a late stage of the negotiation, even complex issues can be set aside.
It is still difficult to say whether the negotiations will reach an agreement, but the possibility of a solution has increased again.
The BBC’s political affairs correspondent, Nick Eardley, analyzed that from the last words of the leaders of both sides, he seems to be more optimistic than the previous days.
Earlier, both sides warned that trade talks could end without an agreement, but now they are ready to do more (go the extra mile).
Erdley said, what does this mean? Are the two parties one step closer to reaching an agreement? Or is there any indication that they are willing to compromise?
