Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Eastwood comes out fighting on US Brexit trade deal
MP vents fury at Govt bill
THE US will not agree to a post-brexit trade deal with the UK if the Internal Market Bill becomes law, an MP has warned.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the proposed legislation “rides a coach and horses through the Good Friday Agreement” and told the Government if they “mess” with the peace treaty “there will be no trade deal”.
Mr Eastwood added that having no border in Ireland is “paramount” for a trade deal with the US to be secured and if this condition is not met, an agreement “will not be accepted by anybody at the height of political power” in Washington.
It comes as International Trade Secretary Liz Truss denied trade discussions with the US had come to a halt on Monday.
The Internal Market Bill has run into controversy over its impact on talks with the EU and international treaties, given it could rewrite parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. The Government has said the Internal Market Bill is a safety net in case talks to work out details of the Northern Ireland Protocol fail but a minister has admitted implementing it will break international law.
Mr Eastwood told the House of Commons: “We have lots of very, very good friends on Capitol Hill.
“The rage they have over what this Government is proposing to do to this protocol, to this Withdrawal Agreement . . . I ’m shocked by how angry they are.
“They are saying there will not be a trade deal between th e US and this country if you do any damage to the protocol or Good Friday Agreement.
“That is what they’ve said, people should listen.”
Intervening, DUP
MP Sammy Wilson said: “I must say I am absolutely amazed at the comments which he has made.
“Because, of course, he will know our biggest trading partner outside GB is the United States, so any trade deal with America is bound to have a beneficial impact on the people and economy of Northern Ireland.
“Is he telling me and this House his party will actively campaign against a trade deal which would benefit his constituents, my constituents and th e Nor th ern Irel and economy?”
Mr Eastwood replied: “There’s still time to go backwards and realise our peace process, our political progress, having no border in Ireland is paramount and will not be messed with and will not be accepted by anybody at the height of political power in the US.”
I’m shocked by how angry they are...people should listen COLUM EASTWOOD YESTERDAY