As of now, the EU's trade relationship with the UK is no longer EU internal (market) law, but EU external (relations) law. I've spent my life focused on the former... and will now start paying much closer attention to the latter. Here are a couple of starting thoughts. 1/
(This isn't about the technalities - legal bases, exclusive/mixed competences etc - but about the fundamentals.) 2/
First, the dynamic will have changed. No longer is it about finding the best path for the EU-28, but it is now about reaching agreement (or not) between the EU-27 and the UK. Inevitably; much more oppositional, and confrontational. 3/
Second, enforcement of any agreement will be harder. It will involve the joint committee, arbitration panels etc. Direct enforcement in national courts will no longer be possible. Inevitably; more uncertainty for business. 4/
And third, with the move towards a less 'legal' and more 'political' landscape, size will matter. Javid/Mnuchin gave us a taste of what lies ahead. 5/
I'm looking forward to working more on the EU's external relations and the WTO... learning from the likes of @GeorgePeretzQC @hhesterm @DmitryOpines @panoskoutrakos_ @DavidHenigUK @clairgammage and many more... 6/6
