Brexit has become a chronic problem for Great Britain News from Fakti.bg – Opinions

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“We will resolve the Brexit problem,” assured the British Conservatives. But it turned out not to be so simple and the problem became chronic. London now wants a new agreement with the EU, but is such an agreement possible, wonders ARD.

“We will take care of Brexit,” assured Boris Johnson. The then British Prime Minister's words seemed unambiguous – as if the job of leaving the EU was done.

But as ARD points out, things are not that simple. The United Kingdom has left the Community, but relations between them are constantly tested. Current Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants to negotiate a better deal with the EC. This would improve people's situation, he told the Sun newspaper.

Spectacular drop in turnover

The latest available data clearly shows what an important trading partner the EU is for Britain. In 2021 and 2022, the turnover of British companies with Europe fell by €32.5 billion – because of Brexit, according to a study by the London School of Economics.

Small and medium-sized businesses in particular have had to suspend or severely limit their trade with the EU, writes ARD, explaining that the bureaucracy is too heavy and the costs very high.

The British government is under great pressure: there is no revenue and economic growth could be significantly higher. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves even recently attended a meeting of European finance ministers.

A rather unusual visit

Under the conservative government, such a visit was unthinkable, notes ARD. In Brussels, Reeves announced a resumption of relations with the EU. “We must do more to stimulate growth, promote competitiveness and trade,” she stressed.

Negotiations on a new trade deal are expected to begin in early 2025. If UK food and agricultural producers adhere to EU standards, trade would likely be made easier as inspections, bureaucracy and paperwork would be eliminated.

This is a real nightmare for Brexit supporters, ARD further emphasizes. The Sun newspaper is already trumpeting: “Brussels wants to regain control”.

Work is behind

The Labor government must therefore constantly emphasize that this is not about canceling Brexit.

Finance Minister Reeves said: “In our election platform we promised to boost growth. However, we also declared that there would be no return to the EU internal market, no customs union and no free movement of workers.”

As a result, the UK government is back to where it was: facing all the complex questions and demands of the EU. Everything is definitely not rosy, notes the German public law media on this subject.

An important question arises: who will be responsible in the event of a dispute? The British reject the EU Court of Justice, and the Europeans have their own interests: fishing and the free movement of pupils and students, which the British have not yet accepted.

All this means that the promise “We will solve Brexit” is an illusion. It would be more accurate to say “Life with Brexit”, commented ARD.

The United States must also be taken into account

Negotiations with the EU are a delicate subject, because from the British point of view there is also the question whether the agreements with the EU will not prevent the conclusion of an agreement with the United States. The British government is still hesitant.

The hope is to kill two birds with one stone: to derive economic benefits from both agreements. Or will the concessions made to Europeans hamper the flexibility and benefits of leaving the EU, touted by Brexit supporters?

ARD does not hide the fact that it is difficult to make an assessment – in particular because of Donald Trump's declared intention to introduce customs duties on trade, ARD also points out.