EU post-Brexit trade talks with the UK is expected to be Boris Johnson’s next Brexit challenge
The post-Brexit trade talks are expected to be Boris Johnson’s next Brexit challenge. While speaking to France 24 economist Simon Brewer explained the EU is likely going to have to be more flexible when finalising a future trade agreement with the UK. He insisted Boris Johnson’s majority in the House of Commons and current pragmatism has shown his Government’s unrelenting determination to secure a good deal for the UK.
Mr Brewer said, short term gyrations in the foreign exchange markets are of little consequences to the future trajectory of UK trade. I think we are recognising that the EU has some closely held desires and red lines which may indeed have to be found to be more flexible. This is because the Government and Boris Johnson have already shown a certain level of pragmatism with Huawei. I think they will be buoyed by an unequivocal mandate and he won’t yield.
He said, the notion that the UK will be forced to accept EU rules is not going to happen in the same way the EU won’t be forced to accept UK trading rules.
This comes after Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and EU Parliament Vice-President Mairead McGuinness issued warnings to the UK.
Michel Barnier insisted the UK would have to align its new trading policy with the EU’s despite leaving the bloc, a demand that has outraged some UK Members of Parliament.
Ms McGuinness argued the next stage of Brexit, the future trade relationship, could be potentially more difficult than the last three years.
Boris Johnson has confidently countered by saying the EU will not want to disrupt trade with the UK and insisted he and his team are dedicated to getting the best trade agreement for the country.
Mr Brewer closed by saying, I think there is a pretty tough set of negotiations that lie ahead. It is not insurmountable but unlike Theresa May who was trying to placate multiple constituencies without success, Boris Johnson has no need to feel obliged to pursue such a policy.
The UK and EU have already clashed over the direction of the negotiations.
Mr Johnson set out his vision for a trade deal with the EU, saying there is “no need” for the UK to follow Brussels’ rules.
He called for a Canada-style free trade deal, saying the UK would return to the Withdrawal Agreement if such a deal was not reached.
Under the EU-Canada deal, import tariffs on most goods have been eliminated between the two countries, though there are still customs and VAT checks.
