A long-awaited trade deal between the UK and the EU has been struck just days before the deadline.
The agreement will apply from 1st January 2021 and take over from the arrangements under the transition period, which has seen the UK continue to follow most EU rules since Brexit day.
Announcing the news during a press conference, UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said beating coronavirus was his “number one national priority” so he wanted to “end any extra uncertainty” by giving the country “the best possible chance of bouncing back strongly” next year.
The PM promised the deal will allow companies “to do even more business with our European friends” while “taking back control of our laws and our destiny.”
Mr Johnson also announced that “although, of course, the arguments with our European friends and partners were sometimes fierce. This is, I believe, a good deal for the whole of Europe”.
“This country will remain culturally, emotionally, historically, strategically, geologically attached to Europe,” he added.
Quizzed as to if he could guarantee there will not be any short-term disruption when the deal comes into effect on 1st January 2021, Mr Johnson said in the immediate aftermath “yes… there are things that we have to get right, processes that maybe people have to do that they need to be aware of”.
The British Parliament, which has broken up for Christmas, will be reconvened on 30 December to let MPs and peers ratify the agreement.
Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer announced he will back the deal, meaning it is almost guaranteed to pass, but argued it is a “thin agreement” and not what the government promised as it does not provide enough protections for manufacturing, workers’ rights or financial services.
Meanwhile, EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen has also written to the European Council president, European Parliament president and German chancellor to formally request approval of the deal.
In her own address, Ms von der Leyen said it had been a “long and winding road” – but that striking a deal was “right and responsible”.
She added Brussels would “continue cooperating with the UK in all areas of mutual interest” such as climate change, transport and security – but that “together we still achieve more than we do apart.”
On the key issue of fishing, Ms von der Leyen revealed the deal had guaranteed five-and-a-half years of “full predictability for our fishing communities”.
She said the UK’s chief negotiators had been “tough but fair” and the talks had been “successful”.
In her final comments, Ms von der Leyen said, “Today, I only feel quiet satisfaction and, frankly speaking, relief.
“I know this is a difficult day for some, and to our friends in the UK, I want to say: Parting is such sweet sorrow.
“But to use a line from T.S. Eliot, what we call the beginning is often the end and to make an end is to make a beginning.
“So to all Europeans I say: It is time to leave Brexit behind, our future is made in Europe.”
EU’s Chief Negotiator, Michael Barnier added that “the clock is no longer ticking” and that for him, it was “a day of relief tinged with sadness.”
“Over these four and a half years, the EU has shown unity… It has been a great honour for me to be part of this European unity,” he said.
David Cameron, the Conservative Prime Minister who called the EU referendum in 2016, said, “It’s good to end a difficult year with some positive news.
“Trade deal is very welcome – and a vital step in building a new relationship with the EU as friends, neighbours and partners. Many congratulations to the UK negotiating team.”
His successor, Theresa May, also tweeted, “Very welcome news that the UK & EU have reached agreement on the terms of a deal – one that provides confidence to business and helps keep trade flowing.
“Looking forward to seeing the detail in the coming days.”
Nigel Farage, the former Brexit Party and UKIP leader, however said the deal is “not perfect” and he’s “worried we’re going to be too closely aligned to EU rules” because the UK “will not be able to step out of lines without them having the threat of imposing immediate tariffs”.
“That detail, we’ll discover in the next couple of days,” he said, but added, “Are we far better off than we were five years ago? Absolutely.”
Failure to reach a deal would have seen tariffs imposed on UK exports to the EU – its biggest trading partner – on World Trade Organisation terms.
