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Fresh negotiations begin to avoid EU, UK trade war 

Jerome Hughes
Press TV, Brussels

Fresh negotiations begin to try and avert an all out trade war between the EU and the UK. Major differences remain after the European Commission presented new plans aimed at settling a dispute relating to elements of the Brexit agreement.

Relations between the EU and Britain remain at an all time low. The so-called Northern Ireland Protocol was agreed almost two years ago and is a key part of the Brexit deal. Despite having negotiated it, Boris Johnson now says the protocol is not working. The EU has just put forward proposals to alter it.

Under the changes checks and controls on goods moving from Britain to Northern Ireland will be reduced by more than half. EU laws will be amended to allow medicines, licensed in Britain, move freely to Northern Ireland. The EU sees the protocol as essential because it prevents border controls between Ireland, which is a member of the bloc, and Northern Ireland which is part of the UK. 

Since Brexit, anti-EU political parties have been established in almost every one of the bloc's 27 member states. 

Analysts say the fallout from Brexit could also spell big trouble for the United Kingdom. There's growing support in Northern Ireland for a referendum on a united Ireland. 

Meanwhile the Scottish National Party is waiting in the wings to call a second independence referendum which could very well see the breakup of the United Kingdom. 

EU officials are currently in London to try and avert an all out trade war between the bloc and Britain. EU Commissioner Sefcovic will travel there on Friday to meet his opposite number, British Brexit Minister David Frost.


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