No 10 says ‘we have taken back control’, after years of talks end in settlement allowing tariff-free trade in good
Daniel Boffey in Brussels and Lisa O’Carroll in London
Thu 24 Dec 2020 16.03 GMT
A historic deal on the UK’s future trading and security relationship with the European Union has been struck on Christmas Eve, a week before the end of the Brexit transition period, triggering a victory cry from Downing Street and sombre reflection in Brussels.
As the country leaves the single market and customs union on 31 December, new arrangements allowing for tariff-free trade in goods and close police and judicial cooperation will come into force.
The announcement followed a final call between Boris Johnson in Downing Street and the European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, in her Berlaymont headquarters in Brussels – at least the fifth such call over the last 24 hours.
Xinhua Headlines: UK, EU clinch Christmas trade deal, yet not a gift for all
Source: Xinhua| 2020-12-25 08:12:36|Editor: huaxia
–According to a statement released by Downing Street, the agreement is the biggest bilateral trade deal signed by either side, covering trade worth 660 billion British pounds (893 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019.
–Von der Leyen described the deal as “fair” and “balanced,” noting that competition rules “will be fair and remain so,” as EU rules and standards “will be respected.”
–The trade deal will certainly help avoid a Brexit cliff edge on Jan. 1, 2021, but it is not a Christmas gift for all.
LONDON/BRUSSELS, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) — A Christmas cracker was announced Thursday as Britain and the European Union (EU) finally secured a free trade deal following nine months of tortuous negotiations.
With only a week to go before the Brexit transition period ends on Dec. 31, the deal brought much relief to politicians and businesses across Europe and looked to help both sides of the English Channel rebuild their trust following years of Brexit bitterness.
However, not everyone was happy with the deal, which will govern the EU-UK trade and security relationship starting from Jan. 1, 2021. Challenges still remain as Britain and the EU part as “old friends” in the new year.
“WE HAVE TAKEN BACK CONTROL”
Four and a half years after Britain voted to leave the EU, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was finally able to claim victory and said “we have taken back control.”
“We have taken back control of every jot and tittle of our regulation, in a way that is complete and unfettered,” Johnson said Thursday during a virtual press conference at Downing Street.
According to a statement released by Downing Street, the agreement is the biggest bilateral trade deal signed by either side, covering trade worth 660 billion British pounds (893 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019.
CNN-EU ambassadors gather to review Brexit trade deal on Christmas Day
By Zamira Rahim, CNN
Updated 4:57 AM ET, Fri December 25, 2020
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier will brief the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER), formed of ambassadors from EU nations, on the agreement, which was finalized on Thursday more than four years after the UK voted to leave the EU.
The deal was reached after months of fraught negotiations and just days before the December 31 deadline which marks the end of the Brexit transition period.
EU leaders, the European Parliament and the UK Parliament all need to now approve the agreement on their own.
British lawmakers will debate the legislation on December 30. The opposition Labour Party has said it will back the government’s deal.
All EU member states have sign off on the agreement, after which it will then go back to the European Parliament, where members will vote to ratify the deal.
The European Parliament has said that it is too late to hold an emergency voting session before December 31.
Instead, they plan to apply the EU-UK agreement “provisionally,” with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) reconvening formally to ratify the agreemend in the New Year. The Parliament will meet on December 28 to discuss the Christmas Eve deal.
Key points from the deal
Zero tariffs and quotas on goods
The end of free movement, meaning UK citizens will no longer have the right to work, live, study, or start a business in the EU without a visa
Border checks will apply between the UK and EU member states
There will be no hard border on the island of Ireland between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
The UK will be able to further develop British fishing activities for at least 5-and-a-half years, during which time European fishing communities will be safeguarded
A shared commitment to protecting the environment, to fight against climate change and carbon pricing
A shared commitment to protecting social and labor rights
Keeping standards on tax transparency
Passengers' and workers' rights in the transport sector
The UK's continued participation in a number of EU programs until 2027 such as Horizon Europe, subject to a UK financial contributionA summary of the deal has been published on the UK government’s website.
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