EU Commissioner: UK should be 'more ambitious' regarding trade agreement with EU

(Patria) – European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen stated that the UK should show 'more ambition' regarding the post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU.

Von der Leyen said this while addressing members of the European Parliament on Tuesday, at the first session after the UK's exit from the EU on 31 January.

The Commissioner emphasised this for a reason – namely, the British government shows no signs of wanting more than minimal alignment with EU rules, which EU leaders do not like at all.

Data protection, environmental policy and fisheries are just some of the key issues on which the two sides need to reach an agreement regarding the principles of future cooperation.

Von der Leyen called Boris Johnson's recent statement that the UK would become a 'global champion of free trade' 'music to our ears': 'Something we have never offered anyone before – a new model of trade, a unique ambition regarding access to the single market, which would, however, require appropriate guarantees of fair competition and protection of social, environmental and consumer standards,' Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen told parliament members, calling the situation fair for all participants.

Johnson recently stated that there is no reason for the UK to comply with EU rules on state aid, environment and social policy in the context of a trade agreement, thus confirming claims about 'minimalist' ambitions regarding the future relationship with the EU.

Von der Leyen also expressed surprise at Johnson's comparison with the 'Australian model' when he spoke about the World Trade Organization (WTO) conditions that would be established in the absence of a trade agreement between the UK and the EU after the end of the transition period at the end of the year.

- If that is the choice of the British, we unquestionably agree. However, right now we are trying to reach an agreement with Australia to prevent such a situation, and we are also working with them on a trade agreement. Of course, the UK can decide to settle for less. Nevertheless, I believe they should show significantly more ambition, the Commissioner stressed.

The government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who confirmed his influence with a convincing victory in the early elections in December, has legally blocked the possibility of extending the transition period – although a large number of EU parliamentarians doubt that an agreement on post-Brexit relations can be reached in such a short time, given that negotiations begin only in early March and, most importantly, due to major differences in positions and goals, Euronews reports.