The negotiations for the trade deal between the European Union and the United Kingdom are still not out of troubled water. The main cause of the parties drifting further apart is the Internal Market Bill Boris Johson has presented to the British Parliament. This bill undercuts the treaty between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which is the basis for the negotiations.
Every New Day Reduces Chances for Sealing a New Trade Deal
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held her annual policy earlier this week. She dedicated just a few lines to Brexit, but the message was clear.
Insurance Journal reports:
“With every day that passes, the chances of a timely agreement do start to fade,” von der Leyen told the European Parliament in a “state of the (European) Union” speech styled on the ones U.S. presidents deliver.
Von der Leyen also stressed both the EU and Britain negotiated and ratified their Brexit divorce deal and warned London the agreement “cannot be unilaterally changed, disregarded or dis-applied.”
“This is a matter of law, trust and good faith… Trust is the foundation of any strong partnership,” she said.
Von der Leyen said the bloc would “never backtrack” on the UK's divorce deal, which took three years to negotiate, as it was protecting the delicate peace on the island of Ireland from the consequences of Brexit.
Read the full article here
Biden warns: No Hard Border in Ireland
Presidential candidate Joe Biden has made it clear what his position is on the border situation in Northern Ireland. He warned the United Kingdom that a trade deal with the United States is only possible if there is no hard border on the island of Ireland. A hard border is part of the Internal Market Bill mentioned earlier.
We can’t allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit.
Any trade deal between the U.S. and U.K. must be contingent upon respect for the Agreement and preventing the return of a hard border. Period. https://t.co/Ecu9jPrcHL— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 16, 2020
In the meantime, there is another potential problem for the United Kingdom.
Brexit Freight System Not Ready on Time
The BBC reports:
A new freight management system will not be ready when the EU transition period ends, an industry body has warned.
The Smart Freight system, which is seen as vital for preventing delays after the Brexit transition on 1 January, will only be in a beta - or test - version.
But the government insists it will be a fully operational digital service.
It has reassured industry that the system will be operational by December.
The Smart Freight system ensures that trucks are carrying the correct documentation before they travel to ports.
…
Logistics UK, which represents freight businesses, said it was informed by government officials on Monday that a beta - or test - version would be available in December, but would not be fully operational until April.
In a statement, the Director of Policy at Logistics UK Elizabeth de Jong said it was unacceptable and a "massive blow to UK businesses and the economy".
Read the full story here.
The Internal Market Bill Backed by Majority in House of Commons
A proposed law giving Boris Johnson's government the power to override parts of the Brexit agreement with the EU has passed its first hurdle in the Commons.
MPs backed the Internal Market Bill by 340 votes to 263.
Read more about what is in the Internal Market Bill in this article by the BBC.
Stay Informed
At the moment a Brexit Deal is looking very uncertain, but with politics, you never know. One thing is certain: we will closely follow what happens and keep you up to date on the negotiations.
