This seems obvious but clearly still needs repeating. No country can "promise", give or grant an FTA to another country.
That's not how it works. Countries neogitiate an FTA together and reach a deal provided that both sides are happy with the conditions
/1
The reason behind it should please a lot of avid Brexiteers - countries negotiating an FTA are sovereign countries with independent trade policy.
As such, the EU and the UK did not "promise" to grant each other an FTA.
/2
They promise to enter into negotiations. And within these negotiations, it is completely normal and understandable that each side looks out for its own interests.
/3
It's completely normal for the UK to want to obtain as many concessions as possible.
It is also completely normal for the EU to stick to its rules and principles applicable to all 3rd countries. Which is exactly what the EU is doing whether we like it or not
/4
The only thing that both sides could have possibly "promised" each other is to enter into negotiations with an aim to achieve a comprehensive deal (and negotiate in good faith).
There was never a guarantee that the deal will be reached.
/5
That was always going to depend on what each of the sides did during negotiations and to be honest nothing in the last 6 months indicated that things are going well.
/6
Saying that the EU is "refusing" to give us an FTA is wrong. Saying that it "broke international law" by doing so is frankly stupid so I won't even entertain this part.
/end
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Hello. I don't do this anymore but since the BTOM Brexit border checks are finally here I thought I'd post something.
1⃣ The rules changed in Jan 2021. This is when these checks should have been introduced
/1
2⃣ They were postponed five times as this country tried to avoid the consequences of its own decisions. The increased costs and burden are a direct result of the choices made between 2016 and 2020.
/2
3⃣ I deeply sympathise with businesses facing these new requirements. They have been living on borrowed time since 2021.
4⃣ We weren’t ready the last five times, we’re not ready now. We will never be fully ready.
/3
A couple of thoughts on the Windsor Framework and the new solution for the GB/NI/ROI border.
/1
1. Details still need to be worked out
As expected, still a lot of work to be done. Whether it's non-steel TRQs, the new Trusted Trader scheme or a reimbursement system for goods that went via red lane but stayed in NI.
/1
And as a result, the deal will take some time to implement. The EU documents set out the expected timeline - we're not out of the woods yet.
1⃣ According to a 2020 study two-thirds of the e-commerce products imported into the EU fails to meet EU safety laws.
2⃣ Part of the equation is that e-commerce has changed the way border checks need to be done. As trade is more “fragmented”, border checks are trickier.
/2
Sub-point here - the arrival of Alibaba (et co.) was met with a political decision to accommodate/facilitate.
While supporting e-commerce makes sense on many levels, compromising domestic controls may not. There is a fine balance between these two.
/3
First stop today - Motis. Mostly an inbound Inland Border Facility with additional services such as some export processes and live animal checks. Great driver facilities too
Port of Dover. Traffic buildup due to P&O ferries not operating.
Big thank you to @Port_of_Dover for hosting us earlier today and showing us around.
Anyone can now purchase a bulletproof vest or a helmet and export it provided that they can demonstrate it's going to an end-user in Ukraine.
This also covers transit of such equipment
/2
There has been A LOT of questions on that lately - how do I purchase a bulletproof vest in Poland and export it to Ukraine. Under normal circumstances, it's not that easy. Such movements are controlled.
/3