'Cannot go on as we are': UK proposes new 'approach' to post-Brexit trade deal with EU

In a move to change post-Brexit tre rules that were agreed and signed after several months of gruelling negotiations, British government on July 21 proposed a new “approach” and said that it “cannot go on” with terms previously negotiated with European Union (EU). What is expected to furr strain an alrey tense relationship between UK and EU, British government said that Britain would be justified in unilaterally suspending legally binding Brexit agreement but has decided against that as of now. 

UK has reportedly demanded a “standstill period” to freeze Norrn Ireland protocol and to end oversight by EU courts. As per Independent report, UK’s Brexit minister David Frost blamed EU intransigence for “burden” of Irish Sea tre checks and “febrile political climate” in Norrn Ireland – which h led to “disorder”. Britain expressed its wish to “maintain grace periods” that would avoid any checks in autumn and halt “existing legal actions” by 27-nation-bloc which has alrey accused London of failing to comply with post-Brexit tre agreement. 

As per report, Frost’s remarks were met with gasps in UK Parliament’s upper chamber, House of Lords with Brexit minister also insisting that Protocol “must no longer be policed by EU institutions and courts of justice” which is also a crucial aspect of 2019 deal. Frost told parliament, “se burdens will worsen, not improve, over time as grace periods expire” warning that leaving businesses and society would be left in a more challenging situation. He insisted, “Putting it simply, we cannot go on as we are.”

Norrn Ireland tre and UK-EU tensions

Since UK left deces-old economic embrace of 27-nation-bloc formally at end of 2020, relations between both sides have escalated especially concerning tre arrangements for Norrn Ireland. After Brexit, Norrn Ireland is only part of UK which shares a land border with bloc. However, according to post-Brexit deal agreed between London and Brussels, customs and border checks must be conducted on some goods moving between Norrn Ireland and rest of UK. 

While regulations were kept intact in order to practice an open border between Norrn Ireland and EU member Ireland, rules have me British unionists reportedly angry as according to m, regulations amount to a border in Irish Sea and weakens ties with rest of UK. Britain has alrey been accused by EU of taking a “purist” approach to rules.

IMAGE: AP