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Brexit: EU drafts trade deal ahead of talks with UK | Brexit: EU drafts trade deal ahead of talks with UK |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The EU has drafted a post-Brexit trade deal proposal, covering areas such as security, foreign policy and fisheries. | The EU has drafted a post-Brexit trade deal proposal, covering areas such as security, foreign policy and fisheries. |
The 441-page draft legal text, seen by the BBC, was sent to the 27 EU states on Thursday night, ahead of being presented to the UK next week. | The 441-page draft legal text, seen by the BBC, was sent to the 27 EU states on Thursday night, ahead of being presented to the UK next week. |
But the BBC's Adam Fleming said much of the draft will be rejected by the UK because of references to EU law. | But the BBC's Adam Fleming said much of the draft will be rejected by the UK because of references to EU law. |
The two negotiating teams were due to meet in London for talks, but that has been cancelled due to coronavirus. | The two negotiating teams were due to meet in London for talks, but that has been cancelled due to coronavirus. |
A joint statement from the UK and EU said they were "exploring alternative ways to continue discussions", such as video conferencing. | A joint statement from the UK and EU said they were "exploring alternative ways to continue discussions", such as video conferencing. |
The UK left the EU at the end of January and entered the so-called transition phase, where the country continues to abide by most of the bloc's rules while a trade deal is negotiated. | The UK left the EU at the end of January and entered the so-called transition phase, where the country continues to abide by most of the bloc's rules while a trade deal is negotiated. |
Boris Johnson has said if an agreement is not made by the end of 2020, the UK will leave without one and go on to World Trade Organisation rules. | Boris Johnson has said if an agreement is not made by the end of 2020, the UK will leave without one and go on to World Trade Organisation rules. |
But critics said such a move would be the equivalent of a "no deal" Brexit and would damage the UK economy. | But critics said such a move would be the equivalent of a "no deal" Brexit and would damage the UK economy. |
Cabinet minister Michael Gove has also said the government could walk away from talks as early as June if a "broad outline" of a deal has not been agreed. | |
Asked if that position could change due to the threat of coronavirus outbreak causing delays, the PM's spokesman said the transition period would still end this year, adding: "In UK law, a request for an extension is not possible." | |
'Level playing field' | 'Level playing field' |
The draft legal text, called the "New Partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom", was drawn up by the European Commission. | The draft legal text, called the "New Partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom", was drawn up by the European Commission. |
The document includes a lot of blank sections and placeholders. | The document includes a lot of blank sections and placeholders. |
But it also makes a number of proposals, including: | But it also makes a number of proposals, including: |
The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the text "shows [an] ambitious and comprehensive future relationship is possible", adding: "We must give ourselves every chance of success." | The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the text "shows [an] ambitious and comprehensive future relationship is possible", adding: "We must give ourselves every chance of success." |
But the UK government has already said it would not accept any alignment with EU laws as they are updated. | But the UK government has already said it would not accept any alignment with EU laws as they are updated. |
It has also rejected the EU's call for "level playing field" guarantees - where British companies would be given tariff-free access to the EU market if they do not undercut their rivals within the bloc. | It has also rejected the EU's call for "level playing field" guarantees - where British companies would be given tariff-free access to the EU market if they do not undercut their rivals within the bloc. |
However, the EU has repeatedly warned that the UK cannot expect to enjoy continued "high-quality" market access if it insists on diverging from EU social and environmental standards. | However, the EU has repeatedly warned that the UK cannot expect to enjoy continued "high-quality" market access if it insists on diverging from EU social and environmental standards. |
The British negotiating team will take a red pen to large sections of this EU draft treaty. | The British negotiating team will take a red pen to large sections of this EU draft treaty. |
They reject the idea of the deal referring to specific European laws. | They reject the idea of the deal referring to specific European laws. |
They don't want the words "European Court of Justice" to appear anywhere. | They don't want the words "European Court of Justice" to appear anywhere. |
And the proposal on fishing will be seen as limiting the UK's control of its own waters. | And the proposal on fishing will be seen as limiting the UK's control of its own waters. |
It will be worth scrutinising the text carefully, as there are lots of more technical areas of agreement that could form the basis of an eventual deal. | It will be worth scrutinising the text carefully, as there are lots of more technical areas of agreement that could form the basis of an eventual deal. |
However, the two sides disagree on whether there should one big blockbuster deal or several smaller ones - and that's an argument that's potentially unsolvable. | However, the two sides disagree on whether there should one big blockbuster deal or several smaller ones - and that's an argument that's potentially unsolvable. |