Britain and the European Union have agreed on a trade deal finally.
After months of negotiations, a deal was finally agreed on Christmas Eve.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a press conference stating that: “We have completed a free trade deal worth £660billion a year. This deal will be able to project jobs and businesses will be able to trade with our European partners without tariffs and quotas in the European Market. We’ve taken back control of our laws, regulation and destiny. From 1 January, we are outside of the customs union and single market. “
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the chief negotiator Michel Barnier also held a press conference after the deal was agreed.
With President, von der Leyen saying “We have finally found an agreement. It was a long and winding road, but we have got a good deal to show for it. It was worth fighting for this deal. We now have a fair & balanced agreement with the UK. It will protect our EU interests, ensure fair competition & provide predictability for our fishing communities. Europe is now moving on.”
Michel Barnier said: “The clock is no longer ticking, today is a day of relief, but tinged by some sadness as we compare what came before with what lies ahead.”
Mr Barnier says the deal will now be put to the European Council, bringing together the 27 governments of the bloc, and the European Parliament.
Speaking about the future relationship the Prime Minister said “this deal will mean new stability and certainty in what has been a fractious relationship. We will be your friend, your ally and supporter and never let it be forgotten your number one market.”
When asked where the UK and EU sides compromised the most.
Mr Johnson stated “We wanted complete control over our fisheries from the get-go. The EU began with wanting a transition period of 14 years, we wanted three years, we have ended up at five years. I think that was reasonable. I can assure great fish fanatics in this country that we will be able to catch and eat prodigious quantities of fish.
Signing off his Press Conference Mr Johnson joked “Merry Christmas that’s the good news from Brussels, now for the sprouts”
Reacting to the announcement of deal Bradford Council Leader, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “It’s a relief that a deal has finally been achieved. On top of austerity, COVID, a deep recession and thousands of lorries queuing in Kent, if we had left the EU without a deal it would have overwhelmed our nation. The Government is really cutting it fine but at least now we will have some degree of clarity and certainty for UK and Bradford District businesses.
“Of course the agreement still needs to be ratified through the UK Parliament before the end of the year and we need to look at the full detail before any of us can have any real understanding of what it means for jobs, businesses and their trading partners in Europe. Inevitably though there will be big changes and we must adapt to those as quickly as possible.
“As a council, we will continue to monitor the situation, provide up-to-date information for residents and businesses where we can, and provide support where it is needed, including for those Bradfordians who still have to register with the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.”
