European Union ambassadors give green light to post-Brexit trade deal

A spokesman for the German EU presidency said on Monday, December 28, that the ambassadors had unanimously agreed to “green light” the settlement hammered out on Christmas Eve.

The move paves the way for the agreement – which allows for the continued tariff-free trade with the EU single market – to take effect when the current Brexit transition period expires on Thursday, December 31.

“EU ambassadors have unanimously approved the provisional application of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement as of January 1, 2021,” the spokesman for the German presidency said.

It comes as MPs in Britain are preparing to vote on the deal in a special sitting of Parliament called for Wednesday, December 30.

It is likely to pass through both Houses, with Labour ordering its MPs to vote for the “thin” treaty because the only other option is a chaotic departure without a trade deal.

The European Parliament must also formally ratify the deal in the new year – although this will now apply retrospectively.

Conservative grandee Lord Michael Heseltine, however, has urged MPs and peers to abstain when voting on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s trade deal, warning it will inflict “lasting damage”.

The former deputy prime minister said he will “in no way share the endorsement of the legislation” although he will not vote against it because the consequences of a no-deal would be even graver.

Cabinet Minister Michael Gove, meanwhile, has urged UK citizens to make preparations for “some disruption” after leaving the EU.

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