Barnier went to great lengths to avoid saying that the white paper is a nonstarter — a position that EU officials and diplomats have been reluctant to voice aloud for fear of creating further chaos in Britain or even helping topple May’s government. But Barnier’s reiteration of the EU’s commitment to the single market, and the indivisibility of its four freedoms — notably the freedom of movement for workers — effectively rejects the core elements of May’s plan. [...]
Barnier then punched a hole in Britain’s proposal for regulatory alignment only on certain manufactured goods. “The U.K. said it was ready to align with Union standards for goods but only for those controlled at the borders — so it would not be aligned with our agrifood standards likes GMOs, pesticides, since there is no control over whether or not these rules are respected,” Barnier said. [...]
However, Barnier was unable to explain why the backstop issue had to be solved before the conclusion of the formal withdrawal agreement, which currently provides for a 21-month transition period in which nothing would change on the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Barnier insisted that the backstop is needed “now” and noted that May has twice previously agreed that a backstop for Ireland is necessary. In a speech Friday in Belfast, May said the EU’s own version of the backstop is unworkable and potentially violates the Good Friday Agreement, and called for Brussels to renegotiate it.
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