The Lower House of the British Parliament passed an amendment to the "Internal Market Act" on the 22nd, giving the government one step closer to having the power to "rewrite" some provisions of the agreement to withdraw from the European Union.

However, the bill review schedule drawn up by the British government seems to leave room for compromise in negotiations on future relations between the UK and Europe, including trade relations.

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Delayed Legislation】

  The amendment introduced by the British government requires that in the future, if the government uses the powers granted by the Internal Market Act to overturn some provisions of the "Brexit" agreement signed and enacted with the European Union, it must be approved by Parliament.

Reuters reported that the government agreed to give power to the parliament to "quell" the "rebellion" of Conservative Party members who originally intended to block the bill, allowing the amendment to be passed without a vote on the 22nd.

Data map: British Prime Minister Johnson.

  Deutsche News Agency reported that the British government subsequently announced that the "Internal Market Bill" was scheduled to be reviewed in detail by members of the House of Commons on the 23rd.

  According to the agenda, the bill will receive a final vote in the lower house next week and then be submitted to the upper house for consideration for a period of two months.

British government officials hinted that the House of Lords may not begin to review the bill until after the EU summit in mid-October, which means that the bill will not be returned to the House of Commons until December.

【Leave Space】

  The British "Times" reported that this time arrangement was made to appease the EU's concerns about Britain's violation of the "Brexit" agreement.

The postponement of the "Internal Market Act" legislation shows that even if the Anglo-European trade talks break down, the British government wants to allow as much time as possible for the two sides to find a solution to the border in Northern Ireland.

  The Anglo-European Joint Commission set up to implement the Northern Ireland Border Issue Protocol in the "Brexit" agreement is scheduled to meet on the 28th.

People familiar with the matter said that although the UK and the EU maintain their fixed positions, they have made some progress on issues such as government subsidies and cross-sea cargo inspections in Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK.

  A senior British government official said that if the two sides can reach a consensus on the border issue of Northern Ireland, the government will immediately withdraw the disputed clause in the Internal Market Act that authorizes violations of the "Brexit" agreement, because these are no longer needed. Terms.

【Deep influence】

  British media previously reported that the Internal Market Act sets rules for the operation of the internal market in four regions of the UK starting next year, requiring that goods shipped from Northern Ireland to other regions not be subject to additional customs inspections.

If the UK and EU fail to reach a future relationship agreement before the end of the "Brexit" transition period this year, British government officials have the right to modify the rules on the circulation of goods stipulated in the "Brexit" agreement or declare relevant rules "not applicable."

  According to the “Brexit” agreement, if the UK and the EU fail to find a better solution to the border issue of Northern Ireland, in order to avoid the restoration of the “hard border” between Northern Ireland and the EU country Ireland, that is, physical customs inspection, Northern Ireland will have to cooperate with The European Union is "on par" and will implement rules such as tariffs and government subsidies that are different from other parts of the UK.

  The EU hopes to maintain the integrity of its customs union and unified market.

However, the United Kingdom believes that this special arrangement is suspected of dividing the British territory, and therefore intends to promote the legislation of the Internal Market Act.

The EU believes that the UK's pursuit of the power to violate the "Brexit" agreement has led to a crisis in future relations negotiations.

  If the United Kingdom and Europe "disintegrate", that is, the United Kingdom will "leave the European Union without a deal" after December 31, the bilateral trade relationship will return to the framework of the World Trade Organization, fearing further impact on the European economy.

(Ocean) (Xinhua News Agency Special Feature)