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WORLD NEWS Tuesday 29 december 2020

U.K. warns of ‘bumpy’ post-Brexit transition despite deal

By JILL LAWLESS and RAF government argues that
CASERT any short-term disruption
Associated Press from Brexit will be worth it,
LONDON (AP) — First came because the U.K. will now
the Brexit trade deal. Now be free to set its own rules
comes the red tape and and strike new trade deals
the institutional nitty gritty. around the world.
Four days after sealing a Yet an ominous preview of
free trade agreement with what could happen if U.K.-
the European Union, the EU trade faces heavy re-
British government warned strictions came this month
businesses Monday to get when France briefly closed
ready for disruptions and its border with Britain be-
“bumpy moments” when cause of a highly transmissi-
the new rules take effect ble new variant of the coro-
on Thursday night. navirus sweeping through
Firms are scrambling to di- London and southern Eng-
gest the details and impli- land. Thousands of trucks
cations of the 1,240-page were stuck in traffic jams
deal sealed by the EU or parked at a disused air-
and the U.K. on Christmas field near the English Chan-
Eve, just a week before the nel port of Dover for days
year-end deadline. and supermarkets warned
Ambassadors from the 27 that some goods, including
EU nations, meanwhile, A colleague wears a Christmas hat as European Union chief negotiator Michel Barnier, center, fresh produce would soon
gave their unanimous ap- carries a binder of the Brexit trade deal during a special meeting of Coreper, at the European run short.
proval to the deal on Mon- Council building in Brussels, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. Even after France relented
day. Associated Press and agreed to let in truck-
“Green light,” said Ger- very first day very vigilant” tation is that EU lawmakers of jobs that rely on it. ers who tested negative
man spokesman Sebastian about the implementation will approve the deal. But the end to Britain’s for the virus, the backlog
Fischer, whose country cur- of the deal, especially to The U.K. left the EU almost membership in the EU’s vast of 15,000 drivers who now
rently holds the EU presi- protect French companies a year ago, but remained single market and customs needed tests took days to
dency.. and fisheries “in case the within the bloc’s economic union will still bring inconve- clear.
The approval had been ex- U.K. disregards its commit- embrace during a transi- nience and new expense Despite the deal, uncer-
pected, since all EU leaders ments.” tion period that ends at for both individuals and tainty hangs over huge
have warmly welcomed The agreement needs ap- midnight Brussels time -- 11 businesses — from the need chunks of the relationship
the deal, which is designed proval from Britain’s Parlia- p.m. in London -- on Dec. for tourists to have travel in- between Britain and the
to put post-Brexit relations ment, which is scheduled to 31. surance to the millions of EU. The agreement covers
between the bloc and for- vote on it Wednesday, and The agreement, ham- new customs declarations trade in goods, but leaves
mer member Britain on reli- from the EU’s legislature, mered out after more than that firms will have to fill out. the U.K.’s huge financial
able footing. which is not expected to nine months of tense nego- “I’m sure there will be services sector in limbo, still
The agreement has not, take up the deal for weeks. tiations, will ensure Britain bumpy moments but we uncertain how easily it can
however, eliminated the The leaders of the Euro- and the 27-nation bloc can are there in order to try to do business with the bloc
mistrust that festered be- pean Parliament’s politi- continue to trade in goods do everything we can to after Jan. 1.
tween Britain and its neigh- cal groups said they would without tariffs or quotas. smooth the path,” Michael The British territory of Gibral-
bors during months of frac- not seek full approval until That should help protect Gove, the British Cabinet tar, which sees thousands
tious negotiations March because of the spe- the 660 billion pounds ($894 minister in charge of Brexit of workers cross over daily
The French presidency said cific and far-reaching impli- billion) in annual trade be- preparations, told the BBC. from Spain, is also in limbo
in a statement that France cations of the agreement. tween the two sides, and British Prime Minister Boris since it was not included in
would remain “from the The overwhelming expec- the hundreds of thousands Johnson’s Conservative the deal.q