Brexit: Minister says UK's focus is peace in Northern Ireland as US warns trade deal at risk over protocol change

The worldwide trade secretary has stated the British authorities’s first focus is to take care of peace in Northern Ireland after the US warned a trade deal with the UK is at risk if Westminster modifications the protocol.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated altering the protocol might harm the Good Friday Agreement, which goals to assist keep peace between Northern Ireland‘s communities.

The UK’s worldwide trade secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, dismissed the warning as she stated: “We have a £200bn trade relationship (with the US) that goes on day by day with all our businesses and that is fantastic.

“But the British authorities’s focus will at all times, initially, be the sovereignty of the UK and guaranteeing the Good Friday Agreement can work as it was meant, to make sure peace and prosperity on the island of Ireland.”

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She added that she was wanting ahead to discussing the problem with the Americans, who she admitted performed a “very important part of bringing the Good Friday Agreement into being”.

But, Ms Trevelyan stated: “What I want to make sure is if there are those that don’t understand what it is that we are doing, we are very happy and will continue to discuss with all those whose commitment is to the Good Friday Agreement being a stable and long term insurance of peace and prosperity and stability on the island of Ireland.”

The UK’s Northern Ireland minister, Conor Burns, earlier stated there could be “no connection” between the trade deal and “doing the right thing” for Northern Ireland.

Earlier this week, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss stated ministers plan to introduce laws to change the protocol – which governs Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trade preparations – in the approaching weeks.

She stated she would favor negotiations with the EU, however would implement the modifications if that can’t occur.

The protocol averts the return of a tough border with the Republic of Ireland however has resulted in a brand new border in the Irish Sea as some items coming from the remainder of the UK are topic to customs checks.

Some firms have ceased sending items to Northern Ireland due to the additional value and paperwork – one thing Ms Truss needs to change.

Read extra:

What is the Northern Ireland Protocol and why does it matter?
What is energy sharing and why is it used in Northern Ireland?

In a press release, Ms Pelosi stated: “It is deeply concerning that the United Kingdom is now seeking to unilaterally discard the Northern Ireland Protocol.

“Negotiated agreements just like the Protocol protect the necessary progress and stability cast by the Good Friday Accords, which proceed to get pleasure from sturdy bipartisan and bicameral help in the United States Congress.”

She said she has told Boris Johnson, Ms Truss and MPs before that “if the United Kingdom chooses to undermine the Good Friday Accords, the Congress can’t and won’t help a bilateral free trade settlement with the United Kingdom”.

She urged “constructive, collaborative and good-faith negotiations to implement an settlement that upholds peace”.

‘No connection between trade deal and protocol’

Conor Burns reacted to her comments by saying the government’s “absolute precedence” is “defending the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and the establishments that spring from it”.

“As Nancy Pelosi is aware of we search an bold FTA [free trade agreement] with the US,” he tweeted.

“But there could be no connection between that and doing the correct factor for NI. None.”

There is currently no sitting Northern Ireland Assembly because the DUP is refusing to take part in mandatory power-sharing unless the protocol is altered or scrapped.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said Ms Pelosi “must recognise it is the protocol that is harming and undermining the settlement and that is why we have to deal with it”.

The EU has stated it is not going to be adjusting its mandate to have the ability to change the protocol.

Read extra: What is the federal government doing concerning the protocol?

Will the UK get a US trade deal?

A trade deal with the US has proved harder than first hoped, with Northern Ireland changing into a sticking level.

In September final 12 months, President Joe Biden – who is pleased with his Irish roots – advised Sky News he feels “very strongly” he doesn’t need a change to the “Irish accords” as the top outcome can be having a “closed border in Ireland”.

On a trade deal, Mr Johnson admitted at the time: “I have plenty of reason to be optimistic about that. But the Americans do negotiate very hard.”

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