UK’s Johnson, Barnier trade blows over post-Brexit ties
Britain and the EU yesterday laid down their red lines for post-Brexit trade talks, offering contrasting visions for their future relationship that raise the prospect of clashes to come.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson envisioned his country as a global champion of free trade, emphatically rejecting EU insistence on full alignment with Brussels.
But he still pledged not to “undermine EU standards”, after the UK finally went its own way on Friday after nearly half a century in the bloc and an 11-month transition period began.
Worries over trade negotiations sent the pound sinking more than 1.1 percent against the dollar in London midday deals yesterday.
“I see no need to bind ourselves to an agreement with the EU,” Johnson said in a speech at the Old Royal Naval College, which chronicles Britain’s past as a maritime superpower.
“We will restore full sovereign controls over our borders, immigration, competition, subsidy rules, procurement (and) data protection.”
He added: “We will not engage in some cut-throat race to the bottom.
“We are not leaving the EU to undermine European standards. We will not engage in any kind of dumping, whether commercial, social or environmental.”
In Brussels, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier formally offered a deep future relationship but only as long as Britain makes guarantees to trade fairly.
Barnier said fisheries and fair trade would be his top priorities in the talks, with a special focus on denying Britain “unfair competitive advantages”.
Brussels will offer a close post-Brexit trading relationship -- but will demand tough terms on fisheries and a level playing field for businesses, he said.
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