According to the BBC, the EU and the UK have reached a deal that should solve trade problems around Northern Ireland.
Von der Leyen is in London to iron out the last wrinkles of the agreement. The UK and the EU have been at odds over Northern Ireland (NI) for at least two years. As prime minister, Boris Johnson has repeatedly threatened to unilaterally withdraw from the deal. Brussels went to court precisely because the British did not respect the agreements. In Sunak’s words, “intensive consultations” had taken place over the past four months and both sides seemed positive about a breakthrough.
Commercial border
The main problem was the trade border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. It was created to keep the border open with Ireland, which is still part of the EU. In the yet-to-be-announced deal, a distinction is made between “green” and “red” jobs. Goods destined for Northern Ireland from the UK arrive via the green lane and do not need to be checked. Goods continuing through Northern Ireland to Ireland and the European Union enter the red lane. They will be checked at customs.
The fact that Sunak now probably has an agreement with the EU does not mean that all problems are immediately resolved. It remains to be seen how his own party and, more importantly, the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland (DUP) will react. The pro-British party has stalled government formation in Northern Ireland for months over dissatisfaction with trade protocol. Like some hardliners in the Conservative Party, the DUP fears that post-Brexit rules will increasingly alienate Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. If those lawmakers do not accept the new deal, the stalemate could continue.
Boris Johnson
Skeptics see the role of the EU court as the main obstacle. As that court is in the business of enforcing the rules, they fear that some EU rules will apply indirectly to Northern Ireland. Sunak said last week that he understands these concerns and also spoke of a “democracy gap” where the UK loses some control.
In the background, former Prime Minister Johnson also intervenes, critical of Sunak’s new deal, which has received many more European concessions than the agreements Johnson had stipulated at the time. But Sunak probably doesn’t need the support of all his party colleagues to secure a majority in parliament. Opposition Leader Keir Starmer said on Monday morning that Labor “expected to support” the deal.