Brexit has been a momentous political and economic development for modern Britain and the most significant decision since World War Two. After the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union (EU) in June 2016, newspapers and political discussions have been filled with questions about trade, law, and cooperation between the UK and the EU. Perhaps one of the most common questions people are likely to still ask is, are there still Brexit negotiations, or have they finally come to an end?
This guide seeks to explain how the story started. We’ll look at how Brexit negotiations first started, what has been agreed to and what is still outstanding, and how the UK and EU continue cooperating today.
Understanding Brexit
Brexit literally means “British exit” from the EU. The UK held a referendum in June 2016. The majority voted to leave the EU. What happened after was a long process of political negotiations, trade negotiations, and legal changes.
Leaving the EU was no easy task; it meant writing new laws, deciding on new trade rules, and planning for cooperation after Brexit. That’s why Brexit negotiations took several years.
The Withdrawal Agreement
The first step (or at least a major step) was the Withdrawal Agreement, which was signed in early January 2020. This agreement addressed:
- The UK’s formal departure from the EU.
- The rights of citizens of the EU residing in the UK and the citizens of the UK residing in the EU.
- A financial settlement that the UK agreed to pay.
- Special arrangements for Northern Ireland in terms of guaranteeing that there would not be a hard border.
- With this agreement, the UK is formally out of the EU as of January 31, 2020.
The Transition Period
Even after leaving the EU, the UK (and the EU) needed time to adjust; hence, a transition period was agreed to. The transition period lasted until December 31, 2020. During the transition period:
- The UK remained bound by EU rules.
- Trade continued (across the border of the UK and EU) without any new barriers.
- Negotiations continued (regular consultations) regarding the future directions of any relationship.
The goal of the transition period was to allow the business and people to prepare for life outside the EU.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement
In December 2020, just before the transition period ended, the UK and the EU were able to negotiate and come to terms on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The TCA addressed:
- Tariff-free trade in goods.
- Agreed transportation and travel terms.
- Cooperation in areas of energy and security.
This TCA agreement avoided the “no-deal Brexit” that would have created a disruptive situation.
Are Brexit Negotiations Still Going On?
Brexit negotiations are mostly finished, but negotiations continue. The UK has left the EU, and the Withdrawal Agreement and Trade and Cooperation Agreement are signed, but some negotiations are still happening in a few areas.
Ongoing Negotiations and Adjustments
While much of the communication about Brexit is done, there are still some ongoing negotiations:
1. The Northern Ireland Protocol
The Northern Ireland Protocol was the most discussed topic in Brexit. It intended to create no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; it did cause new checks on goods being transported from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
In 2023, the UK and EU established the Windsor Framework, which modified these rules. There are some negotiations ongoing to continue easing trade and reducing political issues.
2. Trade in Services
The Brexit agreements had a much higher focus on goods than services. The UK is a substantial services economy, particularly in finance. There are negotiations ongoing to further establish cooperation in issues such as banking, digital trade, and professional qualifications.
3. Fisheries and Quotas
The issue of fishing rights was a contentious one in the negotiations for Brexit. The TCA has provisions for quotas, but the quotas are reviewed periodically. The UK and the EU continue to be involved in negotiations about access to fishing grounds and sustainability.
4. Security and Data Sharing
The UK and the EU agreed to continue cooperation and collaboration in security, but some of the cooperation, for example, the access to databases, is subject to regular updates. Negotiations are important to proper cooperation for law enforcement and intelligence sharing.
Why Negotiation Is Not Really Over
Brexit is legally complete for now, international agreements often require periodic updates and reviews, while new negotiations follow to achieve new arrangements. The UK and EU have a close relationship, and ongoing dialogue remains a priority.
This means that the overarching question of the UK now formally in the EU presents a definitive solution; the various negotiations continue in smaller amounts of discussions.
What Has Changed for Individuals and Businesses?
Various changes have occurred since Brexit that have impacted ordinary and everyday life or business:
- Travel: UK citizens now require a passport to enter the EU. Many will now require visas for longer stays.
- Trade: Businesses now face new customs checks, paperwork (customs declarations and certificates), and testing of rules of origin.
- Work: UK citizens no longer have the automatic right to work in the EU, and vice versa.
Are Brexit negotiations still occurring, or have they finally come to an end? The answer is somewhere in the middle. The big deals are done, and the UK is no longer a member of the EU, but there continues to be negotiation on many smaller, but still significant, issues.
There is a lot for businesses, travelers, and citizens to be aware of. Regular updates are essential as there will be changes associated with new agreements. Brexit is not an event that was completed in one day but a process that continues to shape the future of the UK.
