Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAST UPDATE | 3 Feb 2020
THE UK AND European Union are on collision course for a Brexit trade battle as Boris Johnson and Michel Barnier set out competing visions of the future relationship.
Major stumbling blocks are already obvious, just days after the UK left the European Union, with battles over fishing and the application of a “level playing field” on issues including state subsidies, environmental standards and workers’ rights.
The Prime Minister insisted there was “no need” to abide by EU rules and said that British fishing grounds are “first and foremost” for UK boats.
But the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said that allowing European trawlers into British waters was “inextricably linked” to securing a trade deal.
And he pointed to the joint Political Declaration, agreed with Johnson, which committed the UK to”robust commitments to ensure a level playing field”.
The Prime Minister used a speech in Greenwich, south-east London, to stress his commitment to free trade – and signal his determination to secure an arrangement with Brussels along the lines of that agreed between the EU and Canada.
“There is no need for a free trade agreement to involve accepting EU rules on competition policies, subsidies, social protection, the environment or anything similar, any more than the EU should be obliged to accept UK rules,” he said.
The UK will maintain the highest standards in these areas, better in many respects than those of the EU, without the compulsion of a treaty.
Johnson confirmed that if a Canada-style agreement was not possible, he would be prepared to walk away without a full trade deal, like Australia’s relationship with the EU.
“The question is whether we agree a trading relationship with the EU comparable to Canada’s or more like Australia’s and I have no doubt that in either case the UK will prosper mightily,” he said.
While the government was ready to consider an agreement with Brussels on fisheries, “it must reflect the fact that the UK will be an independent coastal state from the end of this year, controlling our own waters”.
“Under such an agreement there would be annual negotiations with the EU, using the latest scientific data, ensuring British fishing grounds are first and foremost for British boats.”
EU stance
Shortly before Johnson spoke, the EU set out its draft negotiating mandate, calling for “reciprocal access” for fishing vessels, and stating that a free trade area with no tariffs or quotas was contingent on a “level playing field … ensured through robust commitments”.
Barnier told reporters in Brussels: “It’s clear that the agreement that we wish to have in the interests of UK fishermen and in the interests of European fishermen – I call that reciprocal access to our territorial waters and our markets – that agreement on fisheries will be inextricably linked to the trade agreement, as indeed will be… the agreement on the level playing field agreed with Boris Johnson.”
He said that “where there’s a will, there’s a way” to reach a deal.
“But we are constrained by the decision, if it’s confirmed, the decision of Boris Johnson to leave the single market and the customs union at the end of this year.”
Barnier, who said he had a “very direct and frank relationship” with the Prime Minister, suggested it would not be possible to complete the whole deal within 11 months.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Is this the part where Spain gets to settle the Gibraltar issue. Can’t wait to see it unfold.
@Gerry Ryan deG: Spain and the Eu haven’t a hope. Gib has had two referendums and if we now know anything about the brits it is that they honor the results of referendums.
@Mark: shocking isn’t it? Imagine if they honoured our votes. Oh one can dream!
@Mark: except when the votes are in Scotland
@Ooby Dooby: Scotland is that place that voted to remain in the UK less than 5 years ago and has had their vote fully respected, right?
@Gordon Comstock: before Brexit. There’s a change in sentiment there since.
@Aidan: and what are you basing your certainty of a change in sentiment on exactly? Would it be the fact that 45% of the Scottish electorate voted for a secessionist party, pretty much the exact same number that voted for independence less than 5 years ago, or is it just something you reckon?
@Gordon Comstock: Typical of what I expect form your type, you should from the roof tops about the EU being a dictatorship and all the rest and when he suits you you change your tune in this case Scotland…..I cannot wait until reality hits during these negotiations with an importer of 40 percent plus of your produce and thats not even to mention what Trump’s US will do, in case you have not realised its America first…..you better get Greased up well thats all I am going to say lol
@Peter Hughes: haha what a childish rant! I just quoted figures from the recent election and figures from the relatively recent independence referendum and that somehow makes me oppressive of the Scottish? Unlike you, who would ensure not to oppress the Scottish were you in power by… ignoring the democratic will of the Scottish people it seems.
The best thing about the global political shifts in the past few years has been how much it has annoyed your ilk and how hilarious your impotent rage and cloud shouting has been, please don’t ever change.
@Gerry Ryan deG: What a disgraceful sentiment. Gibraltar is the sovereign territory of the Crown and has been since the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, when Britain agreed to help the Catalonians seek independence (which they betrayed in 1714) in order for Britain to remain in total control of the export of African slaves to America. The idea that such a proud and honourable connection would be revoked is madness. If Britain lost Gibraltar and the slave trade returned, Britain would hardly be able to profit off of people’s suffering at all!
@Gordon Comstock: You know full well Britain leaving the EU should be a case for a new referendum, its a massive change and the vast majority of Scots voted to stay in the EU. Again you know this full well, you are anti democratic and a pure hypocrite. But again I expect no less from your type.
@Peter Hughes: anti-democratic because I’m not taking part in your little game of make believe? Why not present a single quantifiable metric that indicates an appetite for independence of the majority of the population of Scotland? But of course you won’t, you think a referendum should be held on the basis of your vague “reckons” and because you personally favour Scottish independence. And you think opposition to this moronic approach to political philosophy is somehow anti-democratic.
Please, please, please never change and keep up the whole impotent rage thing. TV comedies simply aren’t what they used to be so I’m not sure what I’d do for entertainment if your kind stopped shaking your fists at the sky.
@Gordon Comstock: Like the same metric that gave a case for UK to vote to leave the EU?, seen as it was a mirror of the same stats as Scots leaving the UK once again you have proved you are a hypocrite…..
@Peter Hughes: haha have I said a single word about brexit or are you making things up and attributing them to me in a pathetic effort to veil your own bias and rank stupidity? Are you at all familiar with the concept of the strawman argument?
Your impotent rage is actually made even more hilarious by your fallacy and stupidity. Honestly, unless you were willing to don a pussy hat while having this conversation I can’t imagine how you could possibly be more unintentionally entertaining. Never change, be the simpleton I know you can be.
@Gordon Comstock:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-trade-agreements-with-non-eu-countries
The EU MUST stand up to Borris
@pat seery: Why Pat, do you think that the EU are on the back foot?
@Dom Layzell: no but because Boris is a bully
@Dom Layzell: Yes they are, they have capitulated on everything since he took over from May.
@pat seery: oh really, and Mr Tusk wasn’t very polite when handling out some of his accolades?
@Mark: I agree, but a civil agreement from both parties would be in the best interests for all. It would be nice if the big Egos in the EU can control themselves?
@Dom Layzell: The EU is losing this hands down. The UK will be fine and when it is fine on even an australian style agreement then other states will start looking at their membership and as why bother
@Mark: How do you figure that the UK will be “fine” when they’ll be on WTO terms with every other nation on earth in 11 months?
Why should the British be treated differently than any other non-EU country?
Great! Another year of reading about politicians throwing their toys out of the pram.
@Sea Graham: well the future of the Nissan plant in Sunderland appears to be in good shape.
I know lots of people on here were very concerned!
https://www.cityam.com/nissan-plans-to-increase-uk-market-share-in-brexit-contingency-plan/
@Sea Graham: you take northern ireland in, you put Scotland out, you dance around wales and shake london about thats what brexit all about wwaaah want back in the eu waaah want back in the eu….
@Dom Layzell: I like how you completely ignore the final paragraph in the article. Skillfully done.
@Cian Nolan: Yep. Here it is for anyone that’s interested. From Nissan: “We deny such a contingency plan exists. We’ve modelled every possible ramification of Brexit and the fact remains that our entire business both in the UK and in Europe is not sustainable in the event of WTO tariffs.”
@Dom Layzell: lovely…they might gain market share IN THE UK but their overall level of sales will drop because they won’t be selling in the EU or selling less to the EU….there will then be jobs lost because they won’t need as many staff.
@Dom Layzell:
hmm is that your takeaway from reading the article you posted ???
That’s odd.
-A spokesperson for Nissan said: “We deny such a contingency plan exists. We’ve modeled every possible ramification of Brexit and the fact remains that our entire business both in the UK and in Europe is not sustainable in the event of WTO tariffs.”
Time will tell if Brexit is a disaster or success. The UK has jumped off the cliff, now we will get to see how fast they can flap their arms to fly.
Now you will see in horrific detail how much the EU needed Britain. The backpedaling and grovelling from the politicians in Brussels will shocking to most of you.
@Roger Pollack: From your twitter feed: “I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving to be thankful. I celebrate thanksgiving only to recognise the genocidal slaughter of the native Americans… and how awesome that was. Europeans rule”
You are the embodiment of a typical Brexiteer.
@Roger Pollack: its gas the way brexiters seem to want the whole thing to be about “victory” and grovelling and who comes out on top.
Get over yourselves, you left the EU, grand, you have your reasons, funnily though (and worryingly for britan) one of the main reasons seems to be to proove how “great” britan is. Not a good basis to make policy decissions
@Roger Pollack: One of the main benefits of Brexit is massively increased distance between me and people like you. Enjoy your delusions while they last, though when it goes t*ts-up I’m sure the tabloids will conveniently provide you another scapegoat (probably still foreigners – always a safe bet).
They seem to be getting on fine with the EU -> UK talks just fine without Ireland there…you think they could have at least super-imposed Leo or Simon in the photo to help with the election campaign :-)
@Spartacus Ireland: just thought I’d mention Ireland is part of the EU. But carry on anyway……
Boris has to show his people that they can be as well off, or better, outside the EU. The EU has to ensure that this is not the case to avoid other states following suit.
@Morning Gus: No! All national trade/collective negotiators will look for the best deal possible for their people. As for leverage, the UK are in trouble!
Democracy served .
@Willy Mc Entire:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-trade-agreements-with-non-eu-countries
Uk based companies will continue to apply EU standards and regulations on industrial products and other products they export to the EU. Brexit does not change that despite everyone believing the nonsense spouted “taking control of our laws”. The UK is free to develop their own standards for the UK – should only take a few decades – and if they do would any company be bothered the expense of setting up specific products lines and designs for such a small market, highly unlikely.
@Damian Moylan: it’s not a small market though so yes, they will bother.
Never ending story…
@Matthew O’Kane: now lets go up an octave
Photo looks like evolution of man meme.. homo empirus to homo eurectus!
Ok Borris, here’s the deal.
EU = 500 million people, $19 trillion GDP and UK = 66 million people and $2.5 trillion GDP.
Half of every single thing you buy or sell comes from and goes to the EU.
You done played yourself, you are completely and utterly dependent on the EU and your a small partner as far as the EU is concerned.
You will accept our laws without representation, you will accept our standards without representation or you can shrink your economy by 50% overnight and your refugees will be refused entry to the EU.
Oh, congrats on taking power back by the way.
have your say