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world news Diaranson 18 Mei 2022

UK raises stakes in EU feud with threat to break Brexit deal

LONDON (AP) — The its disposal" if the U.K. goes "I think there are good, com-
British government dra- ahead with the bill. mon sense, pragmatic solu-
matically escalated a fight Truss told lawmakers in the tions. We need to work with
with the European Union House of Commons that the our EU friends to achieve
on Tuesday by saying it move "is consistent with our that."
will pass a law to scrap obligations in international The bloc insists the treaty
parts of the trade treaty law." She said the bill will can't be renegotiated, though
signed by the two sides be published in the coming it is willing to be flexible
less than two years ago. weeks, and she hopes to keep about how the rules are im-
up talks with the bloc in the plemented. The EU could
Britain says its move to sin- meantime. hit back with legal action, and
glehandedly change the legal- Britain's Conservative gov- potentially trade sanctions, if
ly binding treaty — an appar- ernment says post-Brexit Britain doesn't back down.
ent breach of international trade rules are hurting the Critics of Johnson's govern-
law — is an insurance policy economy and undermining ment say a U.K.-EU feud is
in case it can't reach agree- peace in Northern Ireland, the last thing Europe needs as
ment with the bloc to end a the only part of the U.K. that it seeks unity in response to
long-running dispute over shares a border with an EU Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a Mark 3 shoulder Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
post-Brexit trade rules. member state. launch LML (Lightweight Multiple Launcher) missile system, and risks damaging the Brit-
"Our preference is to reach a When Britain left the bloc and at Thales weapons manufacturer in Belfast, Monday May 16, ish economy amid a worsen-
negotiated outcome with the its borderless free-trade zone, 2022, during a visit to Northern Ireland. ing cost-of-living crisis.
EU," Foreign Secretary Liz a deal was agreed to keep the Associated Press Scottish First Minister Nic-
Truss said. Irish land border free of cus- ola Sturgeon, a strong critic
The announcement drew toms posts and other checks, Party, Northern Ireland's big- tweaks to ease the burden on of Brexit, said the threat of
a sharp response from the because an open border is a gest unionist party, is block- businesses. Johnson says his unilateral action was "reckless
EU, which has long accused key pillar of the peace process ing the formation of a power- government wants to fix the and irresponsible."
Prime Minister Boris John- that ended decades of vio- sharing regional government Protocol rather than rip it up. "This is a treaty that Boris
son of trying to wriggle out lence in Northern Ireland. in Belfast, which should have The U.K. says technology Johnson signed, and what it
of a deal that his government Instead, to protect the EU's been formed after the elec- and trusted-trader programs says to the rest of the world
negotiated and signed as part single market, there are tion this month, until the could be used to to create a about the responsibility and
of the U.K.'s exit in 2020. checks on some goods, such customs checks are scrapped. check-free "green lane" for the seriousness that the U.K.
The spat raises the chances of as meat and eggs, entering Like the DUP, the British goods destined for Northern government attaches to in-
a trade war between Britain Northern Ireland from the government argues that the Ireland that are at little risk of ternational treaties is pro-
and the 27-nation bloc that rest of the U.K. trade regulations, known as entering the EU. foundly worrying," Sturgeon
is — even after Brexit — its The arrangement is op- the Northern Ireland Proto- The British government told the Associated Press in
major economic partner. posed by British unionists col, are destabilizing a peace hopes its threat of legislation Washington. She suggested
"Unilateral actions con- in Northern Ireland, who agreement that relies on sup- — which would take months that Johnson, who won elec-
tradicting an international say the new checks have put port from both Protestant to pass through Parliament tion in 2019 with a vow to
agreement are not accept- a burden on businesses and unionist and Catholic na- — will increase pressure on "get Brexit done" but has
able," said EU Vice President frayed the bonds between tionalist communities. the EU to compromise. seen his popularity eroded by
Maroš Šefčovič, the bloc's Northern Ireland and the rest While the DUP wants the "What that actually involves scandals, was using "the abil-
top Brexit official. of the U.K. by creating a cus- Protocol scrapped, most is getting rid of some rela- ity to point the finger at the
He said the EU "will need to toms border in the Irish Sea. other parties in Northern tively minor barriers to EU to play to his own politi-
respond with all measures at The Democratic Unionist Ireland want to keep it, with trade," Johnson said Tuesday. cal base."

Queen makes surprise appearance to mark new subway line

sunshine yellow outfit with on Friday when she attended
matching hat, walked slowly the Royal Windsor Horse
as she toured the station with Show, watching her beloved
a cane in hand, and she was equines perform. On Sun-
seen smiling as she met with day, she looked relaxed as the
train workers. guest of honor at an eques-
The queen was also given an trian show near Windsor at-
Oyster card and shown how tended by celebrities, includ-
to use it on a ticket machine. ing Tom Cruise and Helen
She was joined by her young- Mirren.
est son, Prince Edward, and Her public appearances are
Prime Minister Boris John- being closely watched as
son for the official visit. Britain prepares to celebrate
"We're all incredibly touched the monarch's 70 years on
and moved and grateful to the throne with four days of
her Majesty for coming to Platinum Jubilee festivities
open the Elizabeth Line to- June 2-5.
day," Johnson said. "It was Last week, she asked her son
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II unveils a plaque to mark the Elizabeth line's official opening at fantastic to see her." and heir to the throne Prince
Paddington station in London, Tuesday May 17, 2022, to mark the completion of London's Tuesday's appearance is the Charles to preside over the
Crossrail project. queen's first one outside the state opening of Parliament
Associated Press Windsor area, where she re- and deliver the Queen's
LONDON (AP) — Queen The 96-year-old monarch, train line is due to open to sides, since the monarch at- Speech, which lays out the
Elizabeth II made a sur- who has reduced most of the public on May 24. tended a memorial service government's legislative pro-
prise visit Tuesday to a her public engagements, ap- Calling the event "a happy for her late husband Prince gram.
train station in central peared Tuesday at Paddington development," Buckingham Philip at central London's Palace officials have said she
London to see a newly Station and beamed as she Palace said "the organizers Westminster Abbey seven is experiencing "episodic mo-
completed subway line unveiled a plaque stating she were informed of the possi- weeks ago. bility problems" in recent
named in her honor. officially opened the Eliza- bility she may attend." The monarch made her first months and has difficulties
beth Line. The new east-west The queen, who wore a public appearance in weeks moving around.