The United Kingdom and the European Union finally reached a post-Brexit trade deal before Christmas on Thursday after several rounds of intense negotiations. Prime Minister Johnson told the EU that Britain will become a friend, ally and “number one market” of the EU; a government statement described it as “the largest bilateral trade agreement ever made by the UK”; French President Macron said it was the result of European solidarity and firm belief. European Commission President von der Leyen said it is a fair and balanced agreement and the UK will become a trusted partner. The European Parliament will decide next year whether to ratify the trade agreement reached between the EU and the UK.
British Prime Minister Johnson congratulated Britain and the EU on the trade deal reached a week before Britain’s departure from the EU. Johnson said the agreement means the establishment of a new stable relationship (between the UK and the EU). The UK will become a friend, ally and “number one market” for the EU. According to Johnson, the UK and the EU have reached a comprehensive Canadian-style free trade agreement.
The British government then issued a statement describing the deal as the largest bilateral trade agreement in British history, covering £668 billion in trade last year. The agreement also ensures that the UK will no longer be subject to EU rules and that the European Court of Justice will no longer play any role, meaning that the UK will be completely free politically and economically from January 2021.
European Commission President von der Leyen said it was a fair and balanced agreement that would ensure fair competition and enable the EU’s interests to be safeguarded. She added that the UK will be a trusted partner. Speaking at a press conference, von der Leyen said the UK and the EU will continue to work together in areas of common concern such as climate change, energy, security and transport, and that the EU and the UK share the same interests. She said Europe and Britain are long-term allies and will continue to move forward together.
French President Emmanuel Macron said after the historic agreement between the UK and the EU that it was the fruit of European solidarity and strong conviction. Macron tweeted: “The agreement reached with the UK is essential to protect the citizens of the EU, our fishermen and workers. Macron said Europe will move steadily forward towards a strong and united future.
The EU’s Brexit negotiator Barnier said, “Today we have finally reached a consensus on a trade deal with the UK, ending the last nine months of negotiations in which the protection of the EU’s interests has been a top priority, followed by the need for the European Parliament and the European Council to express their agreement to this trade deal.
Irish Foreign Minister Coveney believes that the trade agreement can protect Ireland’s interests; Scottish Chief Minister Shiya Qing said that Brexit is happening against Scotland’s will and that no agreement can make up for the losses caused by Brexit to Scotland, and he believes it is time for Scotland to become an independent European country and decide its own future.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also welcomed the trade agreement as being of historic significance.
Italian Prime Minister Antonio Conte said it was good news that a deal had been reached, that the rights and interests of European citizens and businesses were safeguarded and that Britain would become a core partner and ally of the EU and Italy.
European Parliament President Francois Sassoli said Thursday that the European Parliament will carefully analyze the trade agreement reached between the EU and the UK before deciding next year whether to approve the deal. He said the European Parliament will act responsibly to minimize disruption to citizens and prevent the chaotic situation of a no-deal Brexit. In a social media post, Sassouli said he welcomed the agreement on the future relationship between the EU and the UK, which will be the basis for a new partnership. However, as the agreement was reached at the last minute, the European Parliament was unable to review the agreement before the end of this year. The European Parliament will analyze the agreement in detail and decide whether to approve it next year.
And the British Parliament is expected to vote on the trade deal with the EU on December 30 this year.
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