LONDON: Britain has put the prospect of a chaotic Brexit back on the table on Thursday as it set out its red lines for upcoming trade talks with the European Union.
In its mandate for negotiations that start on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government rebuffed the EU’s demands for common trading standards and to maintain existing fishing rights.
It set out hopes for a free trade deal with Brussels, but warned it could walk away without one if a “broad outline” of an agreement has not emerged by June.
This would see Britain’s currently seamless trading arrangements with the EU, forged over half a century of membership, end once a post-Brexit transition period expires in December.
“We want the best possible trading relationship with the EU, but in a pursuit of a deal, we will not trade away our sovereignty,” senior government minister Michael Gove told members of parliament.
The European Commission, which is negotiating on behalf of the EU’s 27 member-states, said it was preparing for all scenarios.
“The commission maintains its capacity to prepare for no deal following the result of those negotiations,” spokesman Dana Spinant said.
Britain left the EU on January 31, but both sides agreed to a standstill transition period lasting until December 31 to allow time to strike a new partnership.
Johnson wants a free trade agreement similar to the EU’s deal with Canada, set alongside separate agreements laying out cooperation on issues such as fishing, energy, aviation and law enforcement.
But Brussels says Britain’s geographical proximity and existing close ties make it a different case, fearing it could gain an uncompetitive advantage by relaxing costly environmental and labor laws.
But London says this will constrain its ability to strike deals with other countries, notably the United States, whose Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer visited London on Thursday.
United Kingdom International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said she told US President Donald Trump’s envoy that “securing an ambitious free trade agreement with the US is one of my top priorities.”
AFP