David Davis to demand trade deal agreed BEFORE divorce bill
GETTY Mr Davis is ready to present the EU with a host of carefully planned documents
The MP is ready to do battle with Brussels in the next round of negotiations. Prime Minister Theresa May’s return from her three week walking holiday on Tuesday is being viewed as the klaxon sound for the talks to proceed with speed. She will deliver a major speech setting out the UK’s future partnership with the European Union. And hot on the heels of the rousing words Mr Davis is ready to present the EU with a host of carefully planned and meticulous prepared documents setting out the UK’s agenda post-Brexit.
Brexit transition phase: Cabinet splits three ways Thu, August 10, 2017 Who is pushing for the most gradual departure possible from the EU? And who favours a cleaner break? Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 15 HARD BREXIT: Andrea Leadsom
He will demand a trade deal should be agreed before the Brexit deal is completed. It is thought to be part of a concerted drive to re-establish the focus on a trade agreement post-2019 and not the so-called divorce bill. The first of 12 detailed papers are due to be released this week outlining the framework for the next round of talks.
GETTY It's part of a concerted drive to re-establish the focus on a trade agreement
They will include the Irish border, the availability of goods and the sharing of official documents and information. It is hoped it will quash rumours Britain is going into negotiations blind. Mr Davis said: “Over the last year, the government has been working with British business and the British people to establish exactly how our new relationship with the EU should look and feel.
We need to get on with negotiating the bigger issues David Davis
“And over the coming weeks, we’ll advance that thinking with a swathe of new future partnership papers. “I’ve launched this process because, with time of the essence, we need to get on with negotiating the bigger issues around our future partnership to ensure we get a deal that delivers a strong UK and a strong EU. “It’s what businesses across Europe have called on both sides to do and will demonstrate that the UK is ready for the job.
GETTY It is hoped it will quash rumours Britain is going into negotiations blind
“This is an important next step in delivering on last summer’s referendum and getting on with the task set to us by the British public.” This week three papers are expected to be released from the cache, within them the Northern Irish border issue will be addressed with plans to return to the special relationship the UK had with the Republic. And further plans will set out how to formally end EU regulations which could tie the UK’s hand the it comes to striking trade deals with other countries.
GETTY The Northern Irish border issue will be addressed