EU Ready to Suspend Trade Deal If UK Revokes NI Protocol
(Bloomberg) -- The European Union would likely move quickly to launch infringement procedures against the UK and suspend their trade agreement if Boris Johnson’s government puts forward legislation to revoke its commitments over trade with Northern Ireland, a person familiar with the matter said.
As well as freezing the privileged access that UK companies have to the EU single market, the bloc would also halt talks over the status of Gibraltar, the person said, asking not to be identified commenting on private discussions.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm in Brussels, would be responsible for recommending a course of action while the final decision on the details and timing of any measures would need the backing of member states.
The threat illustrates what’s at stake after UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Tuesday night said the EU’s latest proposals on trading arrangements won’t work, signaling she’s prepared to take unilateral steps unless a new agreement can be negotiated. A suspension of the trade deal would effectively mean a return of the “no-deal Brexit” the accord was meant to avoid.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/eu-ready-to-suspend-trade-deal-if-uk-revokes-ni-protocol/ar-AAX9cS0
