Brexit: EU leaders want to sign trade deal on Wednesday

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Flags of Great Britain and the EU in front of the Palace of Westminster in London

Photo: Steve Parsons / dpa

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel want to sign the post-Brexit trade agreement agreed with Great Britain on Wednesday.

Commission spokeswoman Dana Spinant announced this on Twitter.

“An important moment,” she writes.

The contract should be signed at 9:30 a.m.

It is then expected that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will also sign the agreement in London.

On this basis, the agreement can be applied provisionally from January 1st, even if the EU Parliament has not yet approved.

After a long struggle, both sides agreed on the contract on December 24th.

Brexit hardliners announce support

Approval is expected in the UK Parliament on Wednesday.

The Brexit hardliners of the inner-party European Research Group (ERG) of Johnson's Conservative Party support the agreement, as they announced.

The treaty "preserves the sovereignty of Great Britain", stressed the EU skeptics.

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The leaders of the Labor opposition had also signaled support for Johnson's deal.

This is not without controversy in the opposition party.

Some Labor MPs sent an open letter calling for rejection.

Labor leader Keir Starmer, however, had emphasized that this trade pact was better than none.

There is no longer enough time until the end of the year for a regular ratification process.

Therefore, the agreed rules should initially be applied provisionally at least until February 28th.

Avoid tariffs, secure trade

The almost 1250-page trade and partnership agreement regulates economic relations after the Brexit transition phase.

The most important point is to avoid tariffs and ensure the smoothest possible trade.

The contract also includes fishing and cooperation on energy, transport, justice, police and many other topics.

The federal government had already signaled approval on Monday.

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bah / dpa / AFP