Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Criticism, Praise Poured on Britain’s 1st Position Paper on Brexit

Criticism, Praise Poured on Britain’s 1st Position Paper on Brexit

LONDON - Opposition politicians in Britain on Tuesday criticised government proposals for an interim trading deal with the European Union (EU), but business leaders welcomed the proposals, saying that if accepted by Brussels, it would avoid a "cliff edge" in March 2019 when Britain leaves the EU.
Brexit Secretary David Davis wants a tariff-free interim customs arrangement to start when Britain ends its EU membership.
It would mean current exporting and importing arrangements would continue virtually unchanged to enable a permanent deal to eventually be agreed by both sides.
The new paper was released as the first in a series of documents to be published in order to outline Britain's position on major issues of Brexit.
Labour's Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, described Davis's proposals as "incoherent and inadequate," saying they were designed to gloss over deep and continuing divisions within British Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet.
"Businesses, trade unions and the country need certainty about our future trading and customs arrangements," Starmer said. "Instead, the cabinet remain split on key issues and cannot decide between two very different but equally unachievable options."
The first proposal which suggests "a new customs border with the EU" could be introduced without disrupting trade; the second suggests a new borderless customs partnership could somehow be agreed while Britain also signs external trade deals.
"These fantastical and contradictory proposals provide no guidance for negotiators or certainty for businesses," he said. "The proposals also make it less likely that necessary transitional arrangements will be in place by March 2019." (Xinhua)