There will be no UK-US trade deal if the EU Brexit deal is over-ridden, Nancy Pelosi warns Britain

The Speaker of the US House of Representatives has said there will be “absolutely no chance” of a US/UK trade deal if Boris Johnson overrides the Brexit deal with Brussels.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Sep 2020, 22:56 BST
Updated 9th Sep 2020, 23:06 BST
Nancy Pelosi, seen right in a political spat with President Trump and Vice President Pence during the State of the Union Address earlier this year, is the powerful speaker of the House of RepresentativesNancy Pelosi, seen right in a political spat with President Trump and Vice President Pence during the State of the Union Address earlier this year, is the powerful speaker of the House of Representatives
Nancy Pelosi, seen right in a political spat with President Trump and Vice President Pence during the State of the Union Address earlier this year, is the powerful speaker of the House of Representatives

Democrat Nancy Pelosi said that the American Congress would never pass an economic agreement that it felt could “imperil” the Northern Ireland peace accord.

The comments come after the prime minister caught the EU by surprise by unveiling plans to override key elements of the Brexit deal with the EU regarding Northern Ireland.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ministers have admitted that the proposed Internal Market Bill will breach international law.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ms Pelosi said: “The Good Friday Agreement is the bedrock of peace in Northern Ireland and an inspiration for the whole world. Whatever form it takes, Brexit cannot be allowed to imperil the Good Friday Agreement, including the stability brought by the invisible and frictionless border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.

“The UK must respect the Northern Ireland Protocol as signed with the EU to ensure the free flow of goods across the border.

“If the UK violates that international treaty and Brexit undermines the Good Friday accord, there will be absolutely no chance of a US-UK trade agreement passing the Congress.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The Good Friday Agreement is treasured by the American people and will be proudly defended in the United States Congress.”

Ministers argue the new proposed legislation is necessary to protect the Northern Ireland peace process if London and Brussels are unable to agree a free trade deal before the current Brexit transition period runs out at the end of the year.

Mr Johnson discussed the proposed legislation with Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Wednesday by telephone.

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor

Related topics:Northern IrelandBoris JohnsonBrexit