UK eyes future after EU divorce
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo predicted Thursday that Brexit would bring “enormous benefits” to the United States and the UK, during a visit to Britain on the eve of its historic departure from the European Union.
Ahead of talks with Prime Minister Boris Johnson about a post-Brexit trade deal and other key issues, Pompeo said he was optimistic about Britain’s nearly half a century of EU membership ending today.
Britain will enter a new chapter when it becomes the first country to quit the EU’s institutions at midnight Brussels time (2300 GMT) today.
“It is a great moment for our country... a moment of hope and opportunity,” Johnson said Wednesday, as he prepared to address the nation at 2200 GMT-- an hour before Brexit.
Although Britain will remain under most EU rules during an 11-month transition period, it is then likely to lose privileged access to the single European market -- the world’s largest and most important for UK trade.
Johnson has argued he can negotiate ambitious free trade agreements with both his 27 former partners and the US, but has seen recent strains in the so-called “special relationship” with Washington.
Britons narrowly backed departing the EU in a 2016 referendum that left the country locked in political crisis and acrimonious division.
Johnson, who headed the pro-Leave campaign, won a thumping election victory in December on the mantra “get Brexit done”.
That is now finally happening, with Britain’s departure set in European law Wednesday, amid emotional scenes, as the bloc’s parliament voted to ratify the divorce papers.
“We will always love you and we will never be far,” said EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, adding: “Long live Europe.”
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