Boris Johnson Administration New proposal Trade with Northern Ireland after Brexit.This Message to the European Union It’s very simple. The Prime Minister has no intention of fulfilling the solemn promises made in the Irish Protocol.

Not long ago, he described the agreement he reached with Brussels as “very good.” Now he denied it. A signal to the rest of the world? Britain’s signing of international treaties is almost worthless.

To be clear, There can be no magic solution There was a fierce debate between London and Brussels over the operation of the new trade arrangement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

The immediate priority of the Brexit agreement is to maintain an open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic at the heart of the 1998 Belfast Peace Agreement. The legitimate interest of the EU is to maintain the integrity of its single market by ensuring that Northern Ireland does not become a backdoor to illegal trade. Johnson insisted that Britain leave the single market and customs union, which eliminated any possibility of a clear answer.

The protocol agreement between Great Britain and Northern Ireland for police trade through the de facto border in the Irish Sea is the last remaining option. Johnson knew what it meant when he signed it, although he refused to admit it publicly. Whitehall insiders say that since the agreement has been criticized by the Democratic Unity Party and the hardline Conservative Brexit faction, Johnson believes that he can “hope everything is over.”

The strategy-if it is correct to use this word to describe a decision that violates the provisions of an international treaty-is to do nothing. The government rejected a proposal from Brussels that would eliminate the need for most controls by aligning UK food and veterinary standards with EU standards. On the contrary, it will only delay and refuse to implement agreed border inspections.

Not only that, the UK Also proposed to tear Regulations on the role of EU institutions in monitoring trade in the Irish Sea. These were negotiated by the current Brexit minister, Lord David Frost. This week, the same Frost declared them an insult to British sovereignty.

Officials demand that the operation of the protocol be “stopped” when the two sides prepare for new negotiations. In Whitehall, I did not meet anyone who believed that the European Union would or could accept the new terms.

However, it is calculated that by delaying the procedure, the government will not be able to make the EU stick to the original arrangement. In Johnson’s view, this is a can that can be kicked on the road. The longer it exists, the harder it is for Brussels to change the status quo.

Many unionists in Northern Ireland are disturbed by an agreement that complicates trade with Britain while maintaining an open border with the Republic. They worry that this will tilt the economic balance in favor of nationalism.

In a province still defined by identity politics, this concern is understandable. This, in turn, obliges the EU to be flexible and pragmatic, and to keep customs inspections to the minimum necessary to protect the single market.

However, Johnson has been aggravating the uneasiness of the unionists in order to put pressure on the EU. Stick to the agreement, the implicit warning to Brussels will run, and you will endanger peace. For a province vulnerable to sectarian extremism, this strategy can be politely described as playing with fire. A frank phone call represents a sinister blackmail attempt.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is worried that his tough attitude will undermine relations with the United States, and the prime minister is not impressed. President Joe Biden keeps his Irish ancestry in mind. The White House has important interests in the Belfast Agreement.

Insiders say Johnson doesn’t care. He has Churchill-style conceit. A few years ago, during his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs, diplomats reported that he would spend time in front of a mirror imitating the behavior of wartime leaders. He will not be swayed by Biden.

All of this is frustrating—just like Downing Street’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The government has made a proposal that it knows the EU cannot accept. Even in places that tend to be flexible, Brussels now confirms that Britain cannot keep its promises. The danger is that Northern Ireland will pay for it.

[email protected]