Analysis: fish and ‘ratchet’ clause are key remaining issues in post-Brexit trade talks
After nine months of tortuous negotiations, and with just over three weeks left until the UK leaves EU’s single market and customs union at the end of the transition period, there are two issues that continue to dog the talks, described by EU leaders on Sunday as “major unresolved topics.” These are the future level of access to British waters given to the EU fishing fleet and, more significantly, the “evolution” or “ratchet clause” to ensure that regulatory standards do not diverge to such an extent that British or European businesses are left at a significant competitive disadvantage in the marketplace over time.
