Michel Barnier has given a few further hints on how he sees the negotiations with Britain unfolding over the country’s exit from the EU in a speech at the European Parliament on Wednesday (22 March 2017). This speech occurs a few days before Britain is expected to trigger its …
UK trade policy
David Davis House of Commons hearing: excerpts
We’ve listened into the lengthy hearing of the United Kingdom’s Secretary for Exiting the EU David Davis held on Wednesday (15 March 2017) at the House of Commons in Westminster. The hearing comes days ahead of the planned triggering of the UK’s EU withdrawal process. Below some soundbites. The hearing …
Paper: A good Brexit deal in two years is doable
A new paper by a former EU trade negotiator released by the think tank Friends of Europe argues that a Brexit that also includes a trade deal while respecting both sides’ red lines is doable in two years. The first priority however will be to secure the rights of the …
Comment: On the meaning of the UK hosted Commonwealth trade minister meeting
The decision by the United Kingdom to host the first Commonwealth trade minister’s meeting in London on 9 & 10 March certainly smacks of imperial nostalgia. But Iana Dreyer takes a more sanguine view of a meeting that will help simplify the UK’s trade diplomacy post Brexit. The United …
MEPs see scope for change in EU trade negotiation positions post Brexit
The European Parliament’s trade committee has undertaken a first appraisal of the possible effects of the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU on the EU’s common commercial policy. MEPs see some changes ahead in the politics of the EU27 bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations and also want the EU to …
Britain’s awkward embrace of CETA
Eurosceptic MEP David Campbell Bannerman celebrating CETA in the European Parliament 15-16 February 2017 Wariness about its own future in CETA has replaced Theresa May’s government’s initial enthusiastic embrace the EU’s new trade pact with Canada, Iana Dreyer writes. When the European Parliament ratified the EU-Canada trade agreement …
Comment : Scene from Brexit Wonderland
Your Friday satirical play. By Iana Dreyer. Any resemblance with real persons or organisations is purely coincidental.
UK EU Withdrawal Bill: Labour party members table significant trade policy amendments
The House of Commons is currently debating amendments to the law giving the green light to the UK government to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, initiating negotiations for the country’s withdrawal from the EU. The Labour party dominates in amendments tabled regarding the government’s plans on trade policy. …
British government publishes Brexit ‘White Paper’ confirming exit from EU single market
The government in London has released a white paper it promised to the country’s parliament and to the public as a complement to a bill authorising the government to launch membership withdrawal negotiations with the EU. That bill was voted by an overwhelming majority on Wednesday (1 February 2017). …
Fox promises “no turbulence and no vacuum” as UK eyes EU customs union exit
Secretary of State for International trade Liam Fox has promised members of parliament a smooth transition for the United Kingdom’s trading relationships, despite political pressure from the EU to find a full new arrangement with the bloc within two years, and to completely leave the customs union. The UK …
