THE BREXIT NEGOTIATIONS – THE VIEW FROM BRUSSELS ON DEVELOPMENTS IN JULY 2018

The Brexit debate often looks different when viewed from Brussels rather than from London. That Brussels perspective however is important for businesses to keep in mind and therefore we publish a monthly view from our Brussels office on recent developments and the state of the negotiations.

On 12 July 2018 the UK government finally published its White Paper on the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union including a proposal for the establishment of an economic partnership between the UK and the EU. At the core of this proposal is the establishment of a free trade area for goods which is intended to avoid friction at the border, preserve economic prosperity and allow commitments with respect to the border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the island of Ireland to be respected. It is accompanied by proposals for far-reaching cooperation in numerous areas (many of which will facilitate trade in services) and a new institutional framework.

The White Paper has been politely welcomed in Brussels as a useful contribution to the debate but also with scepticism and requests for clarification. In this View from Brussels we review the proposed economic partnership and comment on the EU's reaction to its various components so far.

To read the full commentary, please click here.