Uk Eu Withdrawal Agreement Clause 38

The UK EU Withdrawal Agreement Clause 38: What You Need to Know

The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union has been a contentious issue for years. After months of negotiations, an agreement was finally reached in November 2018. The Withdrawal Agreement includes a number of clauses that outline the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU, with one of the most controversial being Clause 38.

What is Clause 38?

Clause 38 of the Agreement deals with the future relationship between the UK and the EU. It states that both parties must use their “best endeavours” to negotiate a new agreement on their future relationship by the end of the transition period, which is currently set to end on December 31, 2020.

Why is it controversial?

The controversy surrounding Clause 38 lies in the fact that it does not provide a clear deadline for reaching an agreement on the future relationship. Instead, it simply states that both parties must make their best efforts to negotiate a new deal.

Critics argue that this lack of a concrete deadline means that negotiations could drag on indefinitely, leaving the UK in a state of uncertainty and limbo. In addition, the clause does not specify what kind of future relationship the UK and the EU should aim for, leaving room for interpretation and potential disagreement.

What are the potential implications?

If the UK and the EU are unable to reach a new agreement on their future relationship by the end of the transition period, it could have serious implications for both sides. In the absence of a new deal, the UK would be forced to trade with the EU on World Trade Organization (WTO) terms, which could lead to higher tariffs and trade barriers.

This could have a significant impact on businesses and consumers in both the UK and the EU, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced access to goods and services.

What’s next?

The deadline for reaching a new agreement on the future relationship between the UK and the EU is currently December 31, 2020. Negotiations are ongoing, but progress has been slow and there are still significant differences between the two sides.

It remains to be seen whether an agreement will be reached in time, or whether Clause 38 will become a source of further controversy and uncertainty in the months and years ahead. For now, businesses and individuals on both sides of the Channel will be watching closely to see how things progress.