The details of the agreement signed by Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen have revealed that the UK has made significant concessions to EU rules.
Despite Sunak’s claim that his new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland addressed unionists’ concerns, the EU will retain a series of advantages on trade with the UK.
Physical checks on goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will still be required, and expensive product labelling requirements will make it difficult for many companies to supply Northern Ireland.
Moreover, medicines and alcoholic beverages will need special labelling, and the EU’s VAT minimum will apply to specific products such as alcohol.
The EU will also retain the right to access UK customs databases and IT systems.
The deal includes a role for the European Court of Justice, and the EU can take appropriate remedial measures if the parties cannot agree to ensure the proper functioning of the protocol.
Finally, all of the UK’s seven EU infringement proceedings will only be dropped if Britain complies with all the EU’s demands. Despite Sunak’s assurance that the role of EU law in Northern Ireland is limited, in practice, EU law will continue to apply in a sovereign part of the UK.
Complete different story to other media, vat and alcohol under UK law, green lane for goods to Northern Ireland and red to republic, and less paper work.