Now that the UK and the European Union have agreed on the Brexit deal for Northern Ireland, an end to all trade woes appears at hand. This is what the president Anton Valk of the Dutch British Chamber of Commerce says. “There are finally pragmatic negotiations, which have not happened in recent years.”
The fact that an agreement has been reached does not mean that all problems have already been resolved. Until a real treaty with all parties’ signatures is on the table, all trade between the UK and the European Union will follow existing rules. These come under the so-called ‘Trade and Cooperation Agreement’: the original trade agreement that was drafted after Brexit. “It hung over Dutch companies like a shadow,” Valk says. “And so there’s still a lot to do before the problems are solved.”
Full shelves in Northern Ireland
Thanks to the agreement, the new rules can become much easier, Valk thinks. “The expectation is that it won’t lead to problems, but to full shelves in Northern Ireland.” According to the president, this time there is a positive negotiating atmosphere. ‘During Boris Johnson’s premiership it was still different. Then everyone was negative and then everyone sticks to their point of view, you don’t want that in the negotiations.’
“Much remains to be done.”
As a representative of British and Dutch entrepreneurs, Valk looks positively to the future of the companies in his network. ‘There is still a lot to do, but the negotiating climate now seems to finally be there. I think Sunak’s proposal is a very workable, very clever story.’
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
