LONDON – Britain wants the European Union to give similar respect for legal autonomy that it afforded countries like Canada and Japan once trade deals are set with them, according to a statement from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office.
The office claimed that the UK was determined to protect its legal autonomy on future relationships in talks with the EU.
The talks between the two parties commence next week. On Tuesday, the European Union agreed its negotiating mandate.
“The EU has respected the autonomy of other major economies around the world such as Canada and Japan when signing trade deals with them. We just want the same. We agree the UK’s trade with the EU is significant. The U.S.’s is on the same scale – yet that did not stop the EU being willing to offer the U.S. zero tariffs without the kind of level playing field commitments or the legal oversight they have put in today’s mandate.”
– Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.