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By Elaine Sanderson

Britain officially left the European Union on Jan. 31, 2020. However, the country was to keep with EU laws and standards until a trade deal was agreed upon. Little changed in the 11 month transition period. 

Four years and three prime ministers later, it is set in stone. On Dec. 24, 2020, a trade deal was agreed between U.K. and EU leaders. Coming into effect on New Year’s Eve, Britain faces a future away from the bloc and into one of independence. As the EU’s chief negotiator Michael Barnier said, “the clock is no longer ticking.”

Find the Trade and Cooperation Agreement in full here.

What does it mean for Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland is staying in the EU’s single market and applying EU customs rules at its ports. Those born in Northern Ireland have the right to Irish citizenship and British citizenship in a bid to keep themselves part of the European Union. 

Barnier said, “Whilst Northern Ireland will no longer be part of the EU, people born here that choose to be Irish citizens will still be EU citizens.” 

It seems Northern Ireland has taken one step away from London and found itself in Dublin’s arms. 

Erasmus

Erasmus is a student exchange plan within Europe. In 2019, 54,619 people from the U.K. participated in Erasmus projects, including higher education study abroad. As part of Brexit negotiations, the government has chosen to opt-out of the program. This decision has taken away the option for students to gain an accessible international experience. 

In January, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MP’s that “There is no threat to the Erasmus scheme. U.K. students will continue to be able to enjoy the benefits of exchanges with our European friends and partners.” Evidently, he failed to uphold this promise. 

Macron said Brexit was “the child of many lies and false promises.” This doesn’t seem to be far from the truth. 

Note: Northern Irish students will be able to take part in Erasmus programs due to assistance from the Irish government. 

Trade

On Jan. 1, 2021, the U.K. left the Single Market and Customs Union and joined the newly established Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The European Commission states that the deal “provides for zero tariffs and zero quotas on all goods that comply with the appropriate rules of origin.” Although there will be zero tariffs and zero quotas, the U.K. will now face new customs and a host of regulatory checks.

As the deal was struck before the deadline, it means that the EU and U.K. can continue to trade goods without extra taxes being imposed. Extra taxes on goods would have been one outcome of a no-deal Brexit. 

Johnson said that the deal would enable the U.K. to “go our own way but also have free trade.”

Free Movement

One of the most notable campaigns in 2016 was the pledge that leaving the EU would curb immigration numbers. Britain was to “take back control” of its borders. 

Per EU law, the U.K. could not stop a citizen of another member state from moving to the country. In return, Britons had an equal right to work and live in those countries. As of Jan. 1, 2021, visas will be required. Known as free movement, the right to work and live in any EU country has been eradicated.

Visa-free tourism will take place. Britons can travel to any of the member states for up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Decades of citizens within the bloc being able to move, work and study freely is coming to an end. Instead, a points-based immigration system is to be introduced. 

Security

The U.K. will no longer be part of Europol, Eurojust or the European Arrest Warrant system. However, vehicle registration, DNA, passenger name records and fingerprints will be shared.

The prime minister said: “On security and police co-operation I’m absolutely confident this is a deal that protects our police co-operation, protects our ability to catch criminals and to share intelligence across the European continent in the way that we have done for many years. I don’t think people should have fears on that score, or indeed on any score.”

Climate

For the first time within a trade agreement, climate change targets have been noted. The deal states: “Each party reaffirms its ambition of achieving economy-wide climate neutrality by 2050.” If either party fails to uphold these objectives, they risk termination of the agreement.

This is a positive step with consequences of political and economic tariffs if climate action is not successfully adhered to.

Sovereignty

At a press conference, the PM said, ”From January 1 we are outside the customs union and outside the single market. British laws will be made solely by the British Parliament interpreted by British judges sitting in UK courts.” 

The United Kingdom may have branched themselves away from the Union but they are still subject to scrutiny if they choose to undermine Brussels. Evidently, it seems the deal is one of cooperation, not independence.

It’s not yet clear what will come from Brexit nor the trade deal. Will Britain reign with independence or increase its isolationist and nationalistic approach? That’s difficult to decipher after only a week under the new regulation. Time will tell whether Macron was right in saying Brexit was built upon “many lies and fake promises”.

Elaine is a political writer for La Tonique. You can follow Elaine on Twitter @sando_99.