U.K. hints it might break deal

Trade talks on post-brexit with EU restart amid pessimism

LONDON — The U.K. indicated Tuesday that it was prepared to break an international agreement as post-brexit trade discussions with the European Union resumed with an acrimonious tone.

With concerns mounting that the talks could be weeks from collapse, the U.K. urged the EU to show “more realism” in the discussions, while the 27-nation bloc noted that it was a “world power” that would stand its ground and not yield to threats.

The latest round of discussions kicked off in London in an air of pessimism because of concerns that the British government is prepared to violate international law by reneging on commitments made before the country’s departure from the bloc on Jan. 31.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis appeared to admit as much when he told lawmakers that legislation to be published Wednesday would change aspects of the Brexit withdrawal agreement between the U.K. and the EU.

Though details of the Internal Market Bill are unclear, Lewis said the planned legislation as it relates to Northern Ireland “does break international law in a very specific and limited way.”

EU officials have said any attempt to override the international treaty could jeopardize peace in Northern Ireland and undermine the chances of any trade deal. Under the terms of Britain’s departure, the government has committed itself to ensuring an open border between Northern Ireland, which is part of the U.K., and EU member Ireland.

“We fully expect the UK to honor the commitments that it negotiated and signed up to,” EU Parliament President David Sassoli said. “Any attempts by the UK to undermine the agreement would have serious consequences,” he said after meeting EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier.

Johnson’s predecessor, Theresa May, raised concerns that any attempt to bypass commitments could damage the U.K.’S international standing.

“How can the government reassure future international partners that the U.K. can be trusted to abide by the legal obligations of the agreements it signs?” she said in the House of Commons.

The head of the British government’s legal department, Jonathan Jones, quit reportedly over plans to bypass commitments made with regard to the Irish border.