UK/EU: New year, new deadlines, new (slow-moving) drama
As anticipated, both sides agreed on a zero tariffs/quota trade deal just in time for Christmas. But the limited nature of the deal leaves many questions unanswered, chief among them the outlook for the (financial) services sector. Respective talks began this week, as a first dea… Become a member to read the rest of […]
UK/EU: Deal or delay?
Speculation has been growing that a post-Brexit trade deal will be announced before or on 24 December. In true Brexit fashion, however, earlier expectations for an imminent presentation of a deal turned out to have been too optimistic. As discussed in the past, a deal before ye… Become a member to read the rest […]
FRANCE: Three topics to watch in 2021
The Covid-19 pandemic will continue to dominate the agenda of President Emmanuel Macron’s administration during the first months of 2021. However, next year will mark the last opportunity for Macron to push for policy initiatives as the landscape of candidates running in the 2022… Become a member to read the rest of this article
UK/EU: Why in Brussels, arbitration must not be called arbitration
As the negotiations about a post-Brexit trade agreement continue, level playing field provisions and their enforcement remain the central stumbling block. However, the EU’s position has continued to shift away from earlier ideas of “dynamic alignment” and its upfront enforcemen… Become a member to read the rest of this article
UK/EU: High-level meeting could kick the can further down the road
The upcoming meeting between PM Boris Johnson and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen might be what is needed to finally get a trade deal signed off – or at least to prevent a collapse of the negotiations ahead of time. Johnson’s direct involvement is positive, because at… Become a member to read the […]
UK/EU: Headlines and deadlines
The unofficial 15 November deadline will pass this coming Sunday, but both sides continue their talks. At the same time, personnel changes in Downing Street have created headlines over recent hours. But more importantly, there is still at least about a month left for both sides… Become a member to read the rest of […]
UK/EU: Some form of deadline every week, until mid-November
After another week of future relationship talks in London and Brussels, 3 November emerges as the next iteration in the negotiations between the EU and the UK. By then, the question will be whether both sides have made enough progress in the talks so far to perhaps involve PM Bo… Become a member to […]
UK/EU: Towards a “Merkron Moment”?
Despite the UK’s 15 October deadline for the future relationship talks, PM Boris Johnson’s government remains willing to negotiate with the EU beyond the 15-16 October European Council. Both sides have therefore treated their respective ultimatums in a similar fashion: the EU’s i… Become a member to read the rest of this article
UK/EU: Towards yet another round of last-minute drama
The European Commission’s deadline for the UK to retract the most controversial parts of its internal market bill is approaching this week, but the focus is on another round of post-Brexit trade talks. In a meeting of the joint committee governing the transition period, Brussels… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
UK/EU: Ultimatum from Brussels – deal or no-deal by end-September
At an emergency meeting of the Brexit joint committee, the EU has handed an ultimatum to the UK. Either the government amends its UK internal market bill which is deemed – by both sides – to be in breach of the international law created by the withdrawal agreement; or Brussels wi… Become a member […]