The Brexit kicks off: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced today (Thursday) that a trade agreement has been reached for Britain’s withdrawal from the EU and that there will be no unilateral disengagement on December 31, the Brexit date. Johnson even tweeted on his Twitter account: “The deal is closed.” The agreement will be submitted to the British Parliament for approval on 30 December.
The deal is done. pic.twitter.com/zzhvxOSeWz
– Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 24, 2020
“We have regained control of our destiny,” Johnson said in a statement to the media. “We were told it was impossible, but we regained control. We will set the standards for ourselves, we will be able to decide how and where to create new jobs and we will become an independent state and nation.”
He added: “There will be a change, but it will be a change for the better. We will continue to be members and allies of the European Union, our goals remain common and encouraging competition between us will benefit all sides.” The Irish Prime Minister also welcomed the agreement, saying: “The deal reached is the worst possible.”
“We have regained control of our money, borders, laws, trade and fishing waters,” a Downing Street source said. “We have brought this great deal to the whole of the United Kingdom in record time, and under extremely challenging conditions. All our main red lines regarding the restoration of sovereignty have been achieved.” However, details of the agreement have not yet been released in full.
European Commission President Ursula von der Lane told reporters: “It has been a long and winding road but we have reached a good, fair and balanced deal and it is the right and responsible thing to do for both sides.”
The trade agreement they have been working on in the UK and the EU for a long time deals with economic transactions related to the UK valued at almost a trillion dollars a year, with the British seeking to leave it tax and customs free. Since the referendum in early 2016, the British currency has been significantly hurt, when the currency recently reached a low of NIS 4.3.