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Summary
- PM Boris Johnson said that Britain had taken back control of its laws and destiny by reaching a post-Brexit trade deal
- However, there are some unresolved issues regarding the key details of the future relationship
- Like, the services sector, which represents 80 per cent of the UK economy, was largely left out of the Brexit deal
Brits received their Christmas gift on 24 December when the United Kingdom and the European Union struck a provisional free trade agreement to ensure trading of goods without tariffs or quotas ending months of disagreements over fishing rights and a level playing field. Addressing a press conference at Downing Street, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the country has taken back charge of its laws and destiny by signing a post-Brexit trade deal.
Before the end of the transition period on 31 December, the UK and the EU announced that they had agreed upon a new trade deal to regulate the mutual economic relations. However, there is still uncertainty regarding some key details such as trade in services. Though both the parliaments are yet to approve the deal, the EU is planning to put it in effect for two months from 1 January till the EU parliament scrutinizes and takes time to vote for it.
The trade deal has come as a relief for the pandemic stricken British businesses, which were fearing disturbance at the borders in case of a no-deal scenario. However, it can’t be concluded that the agreement marks the end of the prolonged dispute between the UK and the EU. Some issues remain unsolved. Let’s have a look:
Service Sector: The services sector, which represents 80 per cent of the UK economy, was largely left out of the Brexit deal. The thin Brexit deal has not included securing access for services companies. Thousands of businesses that include professional service firms would be facing restrictions on EU trade after 31 December.
Security: Some experts claim that the deal has made the UK safer, but the fact is the deal has left Britain less secure than before. Losing a seat at Europol, the EU’s policing agency, might give rise to complexities with fast-moving cross-border criminal and terrorism investigations. Negotiation over replacing the work of Eurojust, the agency that looks after the judicial cooperation in criminal cases across the member states, is also required.
Professional Qualifications: The British qualifications of UK citizens that are working abroad in EU countries were acknowledged across all the 27 blocs before Brexit. But post-Brexit deal, things will take a U-turn and it will become tougher for those UK citizens who seek to work in the EU. Proving their qualifications equal to those recognised across Europe comes as a setback for the UK workforce.
Data Sharing: The free trade deal confirms commitments regarding strong data protection by both the parties that would ensure consumers’ data protection and help to promote trust in the digital economy. However, we can expect more decisions regarding data transfers in the coming days.
