Brexit

The UK brought down the curtain on 47 years of membership of the European Union on January 31st 2020. Both parties managed to rubber-stamp a trade and co-operation agreement (TCA) before the deadline of December 31st 2020, which includes provisions for trade, fishing, data sharing and security. However, the Brexit process triggered by the 2016 referendum is far from over. The UK and the EU disagree over how to interpret both the TCA and the earlier Withdrawal Agreement, which sets the terms for Britain’s departure, including the financial arrangements and the special status that will apply to Northern Ireland. The two sides are likely to be negotiating over their disagreements for many years to come.