The Long-Awaited Trade Deal Between the EU and the UK – Expectations and Realities

Abstract

 At long last, the EU and the UK have struck an agreement on their new relationship defining future trade and cooperation across the Channel. However, expectations and realities do not always meet and so it is in the particular case here. The TCA is not an ordinary international trade agreement, as it contains distinct features which may disappoint those expecting a CETA-style deal. In addition, Brexit has the potential of developing into a never-ending story as the TCA by no means puts an end to the debate. Many questions remain unanswered which will have to be dealt with in the following years or otherwise run the risk of creating further divergence in the longer term, ultimately undermining the entire agreement and keeping the threat of a ‘no deal’ scenario alive.