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US News

Britain finally reaches Brexit deal with European Union

By
Lee Brown
Published Dec. 24, 2020
Updated Dec. 24, 2020, 1:23 p.m. ET

Britain on Thursday finally reached a divorce deal for its exit from the European Union after more than four years of bitter negotiations.

“The deal is done,” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted along with a photo of him joyfully giving two thumbs up. His country had finally “taken back control,” he told a press conference.

EU officials also praised the agreement, which came four years, five months and 29 days after the UK voted in a referendum to leave the EU — and a week before the Dec. 31 deadline.

The historic deal ensures that trade in goods can continue without tariffs or quotas after the UK breaks fully free on New Year’s Day.

“It is, I believe, what the UK needs at this time, and the right way forward,” Johnson said, adding that the 500-page agreement promises to be “stable and prosperous for both sides.”

“This country will remain culturally, historically, strategically, geologically attached to Europe,” he said, vowing to remain a close ally of the 27-nation bloc after the “sometimes fierce” negotiations.

The British and European parliaments both must hold votes on the agreement, though the latter may not happen until after Jan. 1, when the UK breaks off.

“It was worth fighting for this deal,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted.

“It was a long and winding road, but we have got a good deal to show for it,” she said at a press conference. “It is fair, it is a balanced deal, and it is the right and responsible thing to do for both sides,” she said.

“Europe is now moving on.”

Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron — who resigned over his failure to reach his own Brexit deal — offered “many congratulations to the UK negotiating team.”

“It’s good to end a difficult year with some positive news. Trade deal is very welcome – and a vital step in building a new relationship with the EU as friends, neighbors and partners,” he tweeted.

Another prime minister who resigned during the negotiations, Theresa May, also called it “very welcome news.”

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is welcomed for a dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels earlier this month.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is welcomed for a dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels earlier this month. Aaron Chown/Pool via AP

“Looking forward to seeing the detail in the coming days,” she tweeted of the deal that she said “provides confidence to business and helps keep trade flowing.”

Despite the deal, there are still unanswered questions about huge areas, including security cooperation and access to the EU market for Britain’s financial services sector.

The nations involved will also see huge changes when Brexit finally happens in a week.

Goods and people will no longer be able to move freely without border restrictions, and exporters and importers face customs declarations, goods checks and other obstacles.

EU citizens will no longer be able to live and work in Britain without visas — though that does not apply to the more than 3 million already doing so — and Britons can no longer automatically work or retire in EU nations.

With Post wires