China News Service, September 8th, reported that the UK and EU trade agreement negotiations have gone through several rounds, but there has been little progress.

On the 7th, the British government revealed that in order to prevent the negotiation from failing, it will introduce new customs regulations in Northern Ireland.

This news caused concerns in the EU.

The EU believes that Britain may not implement the Brexit agreement, and therefore warned that any attempt to abandon the Brexit agreement may endanger future trade agreements and endanger the peace of Ireland.

On January 29, 2020 local time, the European Parliament approved the "Brexit" agreement.

The picture shows the parliamentarians holding high the banner of "Forever Unity" after the voting.

China News Agency issued photos for EU

The British government intends to weaken the key terms of the Brexit agreement?

　　According to reports, the British government is planning to pass domestic legislation to weaken the promise of maintaining an open border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland in the Brexit agreement.

　　According to reports, according to the Brexit agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the two sides agreed that after the Brexit transition period ends, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland will continue to follow some EU customs rules.

This means that goods from Northern Ireland to the United Kingdom and goods from the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland require some new inspections and customs declarations.

　　The British government said on the 7th that if a trade agreement cannot be reached before the end of the year, it hopes to formulate some measures to protect trade within the UK.

　　The BBC reported that the text of the bill has not yet been published, so the specific content is unclear.

However, the British government stated that it will allow ministers to unilaterally decide which specific commodities are at risk of entering the EU when transiting between the UK and Northern Ireland, and will therefore be subject to EU tariffs.

　　According to reports, the bill will also give ministers the power to abolish export declarations for goods shipped from Northern Ireland to other parts of the UK, and will make it clear that the EU’s assistance requirements (the government provides financial support for local companies) will only apply to Northern Ireland. Ireland.

EU calls on Britain to clarify position

　　In response, Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, said that he would ask the British side to clarify its intentions related to the above-mentioned issues.

Barnier stated that the agreement "is a condition for maintaining peace and protecting the integrity of the single market. All agreements signed in the past must be respected, because this is a prerequisite for our mutual trust."

　　Barnier said that the two sides will conduct the 8th round of consultations on the future trade agreement between Britain and Europe this week, and he will discuss relevant content with the chief negotiator of the United Kingdom.

He said, "For me, what is important is the words and deeds of the Prime Minister and the words and deeds of the British government itself."

Data map: European Commission President Von der Lein.

　　European Commission President Von der Lein said she believes that the British government "will implement the Brexit agreement, which is an obligation under international law and a prerequisite for any future cooperation."

She also added that the Northern Ireland Protocol is "critical to maintaining peace and stability on the island and the integrity of the single market."

　　However, the spokesperson of the British Prime Minister James Slack insisted that the British government is still "fully committed" to complying with the Brexit agreement. "We are taking limited and reasonable steps to clarify the specific content of the Northern Ireland Protocol in domestic law. Eliminate any ambiguities and ensure that the government can always fulfill its promises."

Trade negotiations are deadlocked, Britain may leave the EU without a deal

　　According to previous reports, since the United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union on January 31, the two sides have conducted multiple rounds of negotiations on a trade agreement, and no progress has been made.

The UK’s Brexit transition period will end on December 31, 2020. The UK must reach a new trade agreement with the EU before that.

Data map: British Prime Minister Johnson.

　　British Prime Minister Johnson issued a statement on September 7 stating that if the European Council meeting on October 15 fails to reach an agreement, the UK is ready to withdraw from trade negotiations.

　　He said in the statement, "Thinking without time limit is meaningless. If we can't reach a consensus before then, I don't see the possibility of a free trade agreement between us. Therefore, we should all accept and move on. "

　　Johnson said that due to the deadlock in the negotiations, an agreement can only be reached if EU negotiators are prepared to "reconsider their current position."

　　On the 7th, the European Union stated that it has made up its mind to reach an agreement with the UK on future economic and trade relations as soon as possible, but emphasized that it must ensure fair competition.

A spokesperson for the European Commission said that the absence of a Brexit deal would "inevitably bring obstacles to trade and cross-border transactions that do not exist today."

　　The spokesperson also pointed out, “Although we are determined to reach an agreement with the United Kingdom, the European Union is also prepared. If it fails to reach an agreement, from January 1, 2021 on To trade."