The EU has today completed its preparations for a no-deal Brexit in view of the fact this is ‘increasingly likely’ to occur on April 12.
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While a no-deal is not desirable, it is prepared for it, a statement from the European Commission says. It has confirmed and clarified its no-deal plans and produced a new series of factsheets and provided a free helpline.
The statement confirms that the EU has agreed to extend Brexit day to May 22 but says this applies only if the House of Commons agrees the ‘deal’ by the previous Brexit date of March 29 (this Friday). If this does not happen, Britain must ‘indicate a way forward’ before April 12 if it is to avoid a no-deal.
Commentators say such a ‘way forward’ would have to be a clear alternative plan, perhaps a referendum or a softer form of Brexit such as joining the European Economic Area. In which case a longer extension is expected involving the UK taking part in the European elections in May.
It says consequences of no-deal would include:
The UK would immediately be a ‘third country’ to the EU, with no transition period. All EU law would cease to apply to it. This will ‘obviously cause significant disruption for citizens and businesses’.
The UK’s relations with the EU will be covered by international law, including World Trade Organisation rules, ie. trade tariffs will be applied at the borders with the UK including checks for customs, health and safety and compliance with EU norms. This ‘could cause significant levels of delays at the border’.
UK citizens will no longer be EU citizens and will be undergo additional border checks when coming into the EU. This ‘may cause delays’ despite the ‘considerable preparations’ that have been made at airports and ports so as to do this efficiently. ■
Under an intense surge of arctic air, Friday morning will begin with the coldest temperatures so far this season across much of the central and eastern U.S. with blustery conditions and a piercing wind chill.