Britain publishes details of Brexit deal it wants with Brussels

Xinhua Published: 2018-07-12 22:27:37
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British Prime Minister Theresa May's government published its white paper Thursday setting out the details of the deal it wants with the European Union (EU) after Brexit.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives for the second day of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit, in Brussels, on July 12, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives for the second day of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit, in Brussels, on July 12, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

Dominic Raab, newly appointed as Brexit Secretary earlier this week after the shock resignation of David Davis, gave details of the proposals to MPs in the House of Commons.

Raab faced a barrage of questions from MPs questioning the details of the plan agreed by Prime Minister May and her cabinet at their awayday meeting last Friday at Chequers, her country retreat.

He told MPs: "There is no deal until the full deal is done."

Asked if there was a possibility of no-deal being struck between the EU and Britain, Raab said every eventuality was being planned for, but his aim was to see a future trade deal with Brussels.

Pro-Brexit politicians have vowed to table amendments saying May's plan did not amount to Britain fully leaving the EU.

The 98-page document spells out that workers from the other 27 EU member stated will be able to travel to Britain visa-free to take up temporary employment, and also that businesses that provide services will be able to move their talented people to and from Europe and Britain.

Media reports in London said the white paper had been amended to soften the restrictions on Europeans coming to Britain after Brexit.

Raab has described the proposals as a principled and practical Brexit, describing the white paper as the most significant Brexit publication since the referendum in 2016

The White Paper entitled "The Future Relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union" sets out a comprehensive and ambitious vision for British future relationship with the EU.

It will see Britain leaving the European Single Market and the Customs Union.

The Department for Exiting the EU said the document proposes a free trade area for goods that ensures continued frictionless access at the border, protects jobs and livelihoods and ensures Britain and EU meet their shared commitments to Northern Ireland and Ireland. 

As part of the plan, Britain will have the flexibility it needs to set its own tariffs for trade with the rest of the world.

Raab said the white paper outlines at a vision that respects the result of the referendum, and delivers a principled and practical Brexit.

"It would maintain frictionless trade in goods between the UK and the EU through a new free trade area, responding to the needs of business," he said. 

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