Brexit

RTE talks to Irish Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee this week, who hints at the growing frustration in the EU's negotiating team, as the UK diverts from the commitments in the political declaration it signed with the EU last October. McEntee worries that the UK mistakes the declaration for a wish list, as it looks for free access to the European single market without wanting to pay the price. McEntee also tell RTE that even with the best deal, Ireland will need to be prepared for changes to trade with the UK. Meanwhile, the Irish government has begun preparations to ensure that business and people are ready for Brexit. The minister does not believe there will be an extension of the transition period or that the EU 27 will allow for an unprecedented agreement.

DW reports that Michel Barnier feels that the UK is being unreasonable when asking to maintain the same relationship it had as an EU Member State, just without the obligations. Barnier points out how the UK is demanding more than other trade partners of the EU, such as Canada or Japan. He stresses, however, that the EU will not compromise on its values or economic trade interests to benefit the British economy. The UK economy is currently under pressure due to the pandemic as it faces a recession, yet the government remains unwilling to compromise. This Friday, the European Parliament will address the issue and urge the government to revisit its stance. Later this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to join the British PM for a video conference to discuss negotiations.

While negotations with the EU are at a standstill, Kauppalehti reports how the UK is set to make a historic trade deal with Japan. The UK aims to reach an agreement with Japan by the end of this year, hoping that the deal will increase trade between the two countries by 15.2 billion pounds from 2018 levels. The agreement would be the first step for the UK to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which includes countries such as Australia, Malaysia, Mexico and Canada. As soon as the UK leaves the EU at the end of 2020, all its trade agreements via the EU will lapse. Currently, the UK is in trade deal discussions with about 20 different states, most recently also with the US. Although negotiations with the EU are at a stalemate, DW writes that the German Presidency has given the UK hopes that an agreement can be reached by October. 

After yet another round of discussions between the EU and the UK, Publico reports that the EU is growing impatient with the UK, while British officials are trying to renege on commitments and create a new political and economic partnership. The EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, has hinted that the UK are being especially uncooperative when it comes to discussing future security and defense cooperation, guarantees on fundamental judicial rights, and fisheries. Barnier believes that the UK needs to respect the commitments set up by the withdrawal agreement, whereas London doesn't feel the need to comply with all the provisions in the withdrawal agreement. One sticking point concerns the social and environmental standards as well as  the state aid rules the EU is asking the UK to follow, in order to avoid friction in trade. However, the UK feels it will be at a disadvantage if it plays by these rules.