London and Washington resume trade talks, but Biden raises his voice

The issue of Northern Ireland is at the heart of the blockages between London and Washington, and has also been the source of tension, as here during a protest in Markethill, February 18, 2022. AP - Peter Morrison

Text by: Marie Boëda

3 mins

Negotiations for a trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States have resumed, with the aim of strengthening trade between the two countries.

The stakes are high for the British government, which wants to prove the benefits of Brexit.

But this agreement is not so easy to materialize, because Washington remains dissatisfied with two points, including the Irish question.

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From our correspondent in London,

US President Joe Biden has ruled out any

with the UK.

Because two points are not yet resolved and prevent a finalization on the American side.

The first concerns the Good Friday agreements, a key element

.

The text of these negotiations guarantees peace on the territory of Northern Ireland while remaining in the single market of the European Union (EU) for goods.

But the Irish Unionists, close to London, oppose it.

Last year

and since then Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is ready to tear up the protocol: he is preparing to raise his voice once again with the EU.

But Joe Biden has always warned: nothing will be signed with the United Kingdom as long as this agreement is in danger.

The second point of contention.

The UK government's lack of commitment to workers' rights.

An essential point for the American president.

According to the main trade unions of the two countries concerned, the United Kingdom has not grasped its importance and has been too quick to

which do not respect workers' rights.

Example: Turkey, which is guilty

and allows a climate of fear to reign.

Pending a bilateral agreement, London is preparing to sign eight " 

mini-agreements

 " with individual US states

To speed up the process, the United Kingdom wants to sign individual agreements with certain American states, including one with Texas for example.

It would give UK businesses access to 20% of the US economy, London said.

The Minister of Commerce ensures that discussions will continue with 20 American states in all, a number that will increase, she adds.

The goal is to remove barriers to trade and reduce costs to facilitate trade.

But certain important points, such as the reduction of customs duties, can only be negotiated by Joe Biden, at the national level therefore.

Agreements already signed with Australia and New Zealand

If with Washington, the signature becomes complicated, other agreements have already emerged and it is a success for the government.

The

and removes six billion euros in customs duties and improves access to workers between the two countries.

But then again, not everyone is satisfied.

For British farmers, Australia could flood their market with cut-price beef and lamb.

There was also an agreement with New Zealand a month after the one concluded with Australia.

According to a Scottish minister, these trade agreements offer unimpeded access to the British market with too short a transition period.

The two Pacific countries operate at a lower cost: the production price of New Zealand beef is up to 30% lower than the Scottish price.

And in terms of animal welfare, British standards are much stricter than those of its new partners.

Discussions are also underway with India.

Boris Johnson said after his visit to the country last week that an agreement between the two countries could see the light of day at the end of October.

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