Brexit breakthrough: EU CAVES to Boris sovereignty demands as 'progress' made in talks

Daily Express ^ | 12/14/2020 | MARTYN BROWN IN LONDON AND JOE BARNES IN BRUSSELS

[Oshkalaboomboom]

BREXIT trade talks will continue this week after the EU appeared to buckle over Boris Johnson's demands that British sovereignty must be respected.

If no trade deal is agreed by then, Britain will walk away from the European Union and begin trading on World Trade Organisation terms from January 1.

Sources close to the talks said both sides had made “progress” on the level playing field issue - one of the key differences between sides - after the EU dropped its “ratchet clause” demand for Britain to be permanently tied to the bloc’s regulations.

The two teams are now exploring how the UK can be allowed a “managed divergence” from the EU’s rulebook without eurocrats having free rein to slap Britain with punitive trade tariffs at short notice.

Negotiators were said to be working on a solution that would take future trade disputes to an independent committee if either side believed a rule change creates an unfair competitive advantage for the other’s businesses.

Signalling a significant concession, a senior EU source said: “The defence of the single market is a red line for the European Union. What we have proposed to the United Kingdom respects British sovereignty. It could be the basis for an agreement.”

Another source close to the UK negotiating team signalled that the fact the talks are continuing means there's still hope of a resolution. “They have moved and there is a chink of light but there is more work to do,” they said.

Speaking after his showdown call with Ms Von Der Leyen and then holding an emergency Cabinet meeting, Mr Johnson said both sides will try “with all our hearts” to strike a deal.

But keeping the pressure on the EU, he warned the UK should get ready to trade on WTO terms as a no-deal exit remains the “most-likely” outcome.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

Here's hoping that Boris finally remembered where his balls were. No deal is far better than the crappy deal the EU wants.

[AlaskaErik]

Why can’t Boris just walk away with no deal? He should have done so a long time ago. No deal is better than anything the EU tries to get away with.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Boris needs a balls check.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

I live in Spain and a lot of the Brits there went ballistic when Brexit was passed. It was really sad to see how many of my wife's fellow countrymen were willing to sell out their country for the convenience of not having to take a driving test when they move to Spain.

Spain is already in the process of separate agreements to pacify the Brits who have retired here. They are a large source of income and Spain can't really afford to have them pack up and leave, especially now.

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[Sacajaweau]

Just be glad the Boris is around...otherwise the UK would remain the slave of the EU.

[9YearLurker]

This actually sounds like another Theresa May sellout non-Brexit to me.

Hard Brexit probably better than what Boris will agree to.