LONDON – Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said that the UK shall set out more details regarding its free trade deal objectives with the European Union next month once the country leaves the bloc on the 31st of January.
He said that the negotiation objectives will be published in due course of time following the 31st.
What is at stake are the trade terms from 2021 once the 11-month transition period post-Brexit expires. London and Brussels shall commence negotiations in March.
The main issue would be to retain control of the rules, not being a rule-taker who diverge for the sake of doing so. The negotiation shall start from a position of alignment according to Barclay.
This would be a key opportunity to set higher standards on the state policy on matters pertaining to worker’s rights, environment, state aid and state aid.
The European Commission negotiates on behalf of the 27 remaining members of the EU and is expected to trash out its objectives next month. On February 25th, these objectives will be put forth to the EU governments and negotiations are expected to ensue after that.
Barclay reemphasised the country’s ambition to agree on a trade policy that is zero-tariff, zero-quota and ambitious.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.
