After the UK decided in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU ("Brexit"), it did so on 31 January 2020.[7] Until 31 December 2020, a transition period applies in which the UK is still considered for most matters to be part of the EU. After the first negotiations between the UK and the EU led to the Brexit withdrawal agreement that implemented the UK's withdrawal,[8] negotiations commenced for a permanent agreement to govern trade and other relations between the EU and the UK after the end of the transition period.