EU’S TRADE WAR THREAT WITH THE UK
Fury as Truss confirms move on NI protocol
THE EU could trigger a trade war with the UK if ministers go ahead with plans to override parts of the Brexit deal for Northern Ireland.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss confirmed the Government would publish legislation in the coming weeks for changes to border rules without permission from the EU.
The EU has warned this would break international law.
Maros Sefcovic of the European Commission said that if the UK proceeds, the EU will respond “with all measures at its disposal”. This will be interpreted as a threat of retaliatory trade tariffs or legal action.
Senior Tory Simon Hoare, chairman of the Northern Ireland affairs committee, said it was “extraordinary” the Government needed to be reminded of its commitment to the rule of law. Ms Truss said the UK still remains “open to a negotiated solution” with Brussels and is willing to hold talks. She insisted: “We are very clear this is legal in international law and we will be setting out our legal position in due course”.
Boris Johnson has said the legislation was needed as “insurance” in case talks with the EU on freeing goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland fail.
He told of the need to address problems with the Northern Ireland protocol, negotiated by him as part of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Shadow Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty insisted: “He must take responsibility for it [the protocol] and make it work.”
Political Editor BY PIPPA CRERAR The EU will respond with all measures at our disposal MAROS SEFCOVIC OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION