Brexit: why are negotiations between the UK and the EU not progressing?

The chief negotiator of the European Union Michel Barnier, in London on November 28, 2020, for discussions on Brexit.

© Henry Nicholls, Reuters

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, is in London to find a post-Brexit trade deal on Saturday November 28: the United Kingdom and the European Union have until December 31 to avoid a " no deal ”.

Time is running out, but negotiations are still stuck on the same points: fishing, competition rules and settlement in the event of non-compliance with the agreement.

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First point on which

 : fishing.

With Brexit, the United Kingdom intends to regain control of its

, where European boats currently come.

London wants to control quotas and renegotiate them every year.

, Ireland, but also the Netherlands and Denmark, present in the very fish-rich British waters.

Brussels wants the case to move forward and reminds that London exports 75% of its fishing to the European market.

Either an outlet which can weigh heavily in the negotiations.

The second disagreement is based on competition rules.

The European Union (EU) says it is ready for a trade agreement without tariffs or quotas.

This is on condition that the British respect European standards in social, environmental and tax matters.

So that the rules are fair. 

Brussels also wants more transparency on British state aid, so that it does not turn into subsidies to support its economy, and thus create unfair competition.

Finally, the third point concerns governance, which must govern disputes in the event of violation of the agreement.

This could result in the creation of an arbitration tribunal.

Brussels wanted the European Court of Justice to be involved in European law… but London is not in favor.

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• Brexit

• UK

• Trade and Trade

• European Union

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