Thread by @CoppetainPU

Another informative piece by @tconnellyRTE, this time on the level playing field. Definitely recommended reading.

Some parts of it piqued my curiosity

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rte.ie/news/brexit/20…

First, the theme is about the UK having to follow EU standard, implying the UK may want to have lower standards than the EU.

But Frost’s vision was of a nimble UK able to set its own standards. Wouldn’t this force the EU to follow?

rte.ie/news/brexit/20…

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If not follow, then at least be constrained by the higher UK standard under a ratchet as in the EU’s March 2020 “ratchet” draft. Note the text refers to “party”/“parties” so applies to either side.

ec.europa.eu/info/sites/inf…

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Is it true (as the quoted cable says) that WTO “state aid” rules do not include dispute settlement?

“… WTO rules on state aid, meaning a commitment to transparency and a ‘light’ consultation mechanism but no dispute resolution.”

rte.ie/news/brexit/20…

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No. It’s not true

State aid is under the WTO Subsidies Agreement. Any alleged violation of any WTO agreement can be challenged in dispute settlement.

This one actually says so specifically.

But the coverage is narrower: strictly related to exports

wto.org/english/docs_e…

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The WTO agreement also includes countervailing action, like raising tariffs to offset a subsidy

Probably a naïve question: is there really no room for compromise even on this? If 120+ countries can compromise on a multilateral agreement why is it so hard bilaterally?

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The political declaration, Article 77, is quoted. What exactly is the wording?

Here it is.

Note: the UK was part of setting the EU high standards at the end of the transition

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…

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