On the eve of the last round of negotiations on the subject of Brexit, London has indicated that it wants to modify it to "clarify" the agreement governing its exit from the European Union.

But Brussels immediately wanted to call the United Kingdom to order on its commitments.

Will the two camps be able to avoid the "no deal"?

DECRYPTION

The tone is rising between the European Union and the United Kingdom: the Europeans warned the British on Monday against any temptation to go back on the commitments made during Brexit.

As the last round of negotiations opens on Tuesday, Boris Johnson has decided to question the compromise signed at the beginning of the year.

The British government intends to present, Wednesday, a bill revising certain parts of the agreement governing the exit from the EU on January 31.

For two or three days, the British leaders have been bulging their chests, a bit like those boxers or wrestlers who take martial poses on the eve of an important match.

They think it will impress their opponent.

It is also part of diplomatic folklore.

A blow to reciprocal "trust"

For the challenge to appear credible, it is Prime Minister Boris Johnson who is personally raising the threat of a "no deal", a dry Brexit, if the last round of negotiations does not end in his favor before October 15.

This is similar to the classic coup of the pseudo-ultimatum launched on the eve of the talks.

If this is not the case, the United Kingdom "must accept it and move on," warned the British Prime Minister, assuring that no deal would be "a good outcome" allowing the United Kingdom United to "prosper".

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The United Kingdom had already attempted the same maneuver at the start of the year, before finally agreeing that no border be re-established between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

To paraphrase the English, "Keep Calm and Negociate", "let's stay calm and continue the negotiations".

This is exactly Europe's response to Boris Johnson: the EU has warned London of a blow to "trust" that could jeopardize negotiations over their future relationship.

An application of WTO rules?

Especially since a break without agreement between London and Brussels would ultimately be more damaging for the British than for the Europeans.

The rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) would then be applied, which would be extremely costly for the United Kingdom and its currency.

The UK formally left the EU on January 31, nearly four years after a landmark referendum marking the end of almost 50 years of membership in the European Union.

But it remains governed by European regulations until the end of December, while the two parties try to conclude a free trade agreement.

Several sticking points

There are still several real sticking points.

For Europeans, there is the issue of fishing rights with the maintenance of current quotas and access to British waters.

It should be sorted out.

But the main stake is to obtain the guarantee that London respects common standards and tariffs if Brussels grants it duty-free access to the continental market.

This is essential to avoid unfair competition.

The UK could be used as a Trojan horse by unscrupulous importers.

However, at this stage, Boris Johnson refuses to make a commitment in the name of respect for British sovereignty.