For the British government, a successful Brexit means re-asserting economic sovereignty and landing a trade deal with Europe. French fishermen could sink that plan
BOULOGNE-SUR-MER, France - For the British government, a successful Brexit means re-asserting economic sovereignty and landing a trade deal with Europe. Trawler captain Stephane Fait and his fellow French fisherman could sink that plan.
But French fishermen won’t accept that and they have leverage: pressuring Brussels via French President Emmanuel Macron to withhold the trade deal unless Britain lets EU trawlers fish its waters. The fishing row shows how just one small industry - which plays a tiny economic role but has outsize political influence - can undo Britain’s ambitions of landing a wider deal that preserves its access to European markets.
It would be “very, very grave” if French boats were banned from British waters, French Farm Minister Didier Guillaume told Reuters. “There could be reprisal measures.” “A rebalancing is needed,” a British official said. “We believe we should have a greater share of the fish in UK waters.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Britain hands in Brexit file as British EU lawmakers say 'au revoir'Britain's ambassador to the European Union passed documents formalizing Bre...
Read more »
For Brexit-weary Britain, formal split from Europe landing 'with a rather dull thud'Britain and the European Union formalize their split on Friday. But the real separation anxiety is yet to come.
Read more »
Post-Brexit trade deal, Huawei top Pompeo agenda in BritainLONDON (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in London on the cusp of Britain's departure from the European Union for talks focused on a post-Brexit free trade deal and the U.K.'s decision...
Read more »
Johnson hails UK's 'new beginning' as Brexit day arrivesLONDON (AP) — Britain begins the day as a member of the European Union. Its status at the end of the day — as a proud nation that has reclaimed its sovereignty, or a diminished presence in Europe...
Read more »
U.K. consumer confidence rises ahead of Brexit dayBritish consumer confidence picked up in January as the nation's public grew more optimistic about the course of the economy on the eve of the U.K.'s departure from the European Union. An index of consumer confidence gathered by market-research firm GfK rose two points to minus nine in January. That marked the first time the measure has risen for two consecutive months since September 2017, as consumer confidence languished during an extended period of uncertainty surrounding Brexit.
Read more »