There will be huge frustration in Brussels now the UK has published its expectations of the requirements of the Irish protocol - remember the agreement signed as part of #Brexit deal to replace Irish backstop? UK saying there is no international border down Irish Sea /1
While true in law, UK signed up in practise to NIreland effectively remaining in EU customs union and in its single market for goods. UK saying no checks needed on goods travelling from NIreland to GB under the protocol. No checks on goods from GB into NIreland either IF ../2
Those goods remain in NIreland and are not headed for Republic of Ireland and rest of single market. EU disagrees. Thinks some kinds of control will be necessary. Worried about goods entering mkt through “bank door”. UK saying it wont add any additional customs infrastructure /3
This will increase tensions between the two sides about what is required under protocol. EU figures off record say this feeds into their mistrust of U.K. side in separate trade talks. Also reason EU was so insistent in request it should have office in Belfast to keep eye on how/4
UK handling goods entering NIreland. UK says no. That would undermine its sovereignty. It’s not make or break here but tensions EU-UK will rise again today. Don’t forget too yesterday’s direct letter of criticism from UK main trade negotiator to EU counterpart. Mood not good /5
Obvs meant to write “backdoor” not “bankdoor” in point /3 above. Darned autocorrect..
