Saishree Mohanty
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to “give everything” to secure a new Brexit agreement with the European Union (EU). Sunak has said he is dedicated to securing a deal that benefits both the UK and the EU.
The UK formally left the EU on January 31, 2020, and the transition period ended on December 31, 2020. Since then, the two parties have been negotiating a new trade deal to determine their future relationship. However, talks have been difficult, with both sides struggling to reach an agreement on key issues such as fisheries, state aid, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
In his recent comments, Sunak said that the UK is ready to compromise on key issues in order to reach a deal. “We want to get a deal, we’re working incredibly hard to get a deal,” he said. “We’re willing to compromise, we’re willing to be flexible. We want to get the best deal for the UK and the EU.”
Sunak’s comments come as negotiations between the UK and the EU are set to resume in Brussels this week. Both sides have indicated that they are willing to compromise, but significant differences still remain. The UK has called for greater control over its waters and the ability to set its own rules and regulations, while the EU is seeking a level playing field and access to UK fishing waters.
Despite the challenges, Sunak remains optimistic about the prospect of a deal. “I’m confident that we can get there,” he said. “I think it’s important that we do, and we’re working incredibly hard to make that happen.”
If a new trade deal is not reached by the end of the year, the UK and the EU will revert to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, which could lead to tariffs and other barriers to trade. Sunak has repeatedly stated that a “no deal” scenario would be a “very bad outcome” for both sides.
The UK and the EU have been engaged in intensive negotiations since March, and have missed several deadlines for reaching a deal. Both sides have said that they are willing to continue negotiations until a deal is reached, but time is running out. The EU has said that a deal must be reached by the end of October in order to allow time for ratification by the European Parliament and national parliaments.
Despite the challenges, Sunak remains optimistic about the prospect of a deal. “We’re giving everything we can to make sure that we get a deal,” he said. “We want to get a deal that works for both sides. It’s going to be tough, but I think we can do it.”