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While British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a tough statement on October 16 that his government was preparing for a rock-hard end-of-the-year Brexit, the Downing Street House had already leaked on October 18. , ready to make a concession that would pave the way for new Before the EU-UK trade deal.
The British government is willing to water down critical parts of the so-called internal market law that would make it virtually impossible to reach an agreement with the EU, AP reported, citing a source close to the case. This legislation, which is currently in Parliament, would put the decision to exchange goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the hands of the British authorities, kicking off the British-EU divorce agreement adopted in January this year.
It effectively establishes a customs border in the Irish Sea, as Northern Ireland would remain part of the EU single market, while Britain would separate from it. Therefore, the UK authorities must carry out customs activities on behalf of the EU as an agent of the Union. This is a condition for the border between Ireland and the North to remain freely passable.
Another critical point of the bill is that, according to it, the British government would not negotiate with the EU on state aid that also affects companies registered in Northern Ireland. This could give them a competitive advantage over other European companies. The EU believes that the new British Internal Market Act, if passed, would violate the divorce agreement, an international agreement, so Brussels has prepared to take legal action in this regard.
Back with the greyhounds
However, if the leak is true, meaning that the British side withdraws from the debate, the main obstacle to reaching a trade deal before the end of the year will be removed. The news is somewhat surprising given that Prime Minister Boris Johnson still spoke on Oct. 16 that his country is preparing for a hard Brexit by the end of the year, which means that customs borders under World Trade Organization rules (WTO) will enter into force on January 1, 2021. between the EU and the UK.
Negotiations between the parties have more or less stalled after EU leaders at their mid-October summit took the position that the London government should make gestures that could bring them out of the deadlock. One of the demands of the European Heads of State and Government was precisely that the passages that kick the divorce agreement of the British Internal Market Act be eliminated.
Is not happening
Johnson has resisted so far, but US news agency sources know that parliament will be blocked. To do this, the lower house deputies have no choice but to approve the decision of the upper house, made up of unelected members, after the lords have withdrawn the parts of the bill that violate the international treaty. At first reading, the legislation passed through the House of Lords, but the House of Lords was expected to change it before it was presented again before the House of Commons before a final decision was made.
If the House of Commons also accepts the amendments, it will be up to the head of government how hard he starts fighting them. For example, if you are trying to force pro-government MPs to accept the original version. According to the news that just leaked, Johnson will settle for diluting the law of the internal market. In other words, it accepts the expectations of the EU leaders, thus improving the chances of a trade deal being reached.
According to an AP source, in addition, the possibility of trampling international law in the mud was intended, in principle, to be a negotiating tactic in London. Cabinet Minister Michael Gove is currently in talks with EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic on Brexit, while British Chief Negotiator David Frost and EU Chief Negotiator for Brexit, they are also in talks.
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