Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK)

Summary:

Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the One Part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the Other Part.

Further information:

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) sets out preferential arrangements in areas such as trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries, social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, thematic cooperation and participation in Union programmes. It is underpinned by provisions ensuring a level playing field and respect for fundamental rights. It is provisionally applicable since 1 January 2021, after having been agreed by EU and UK negotiators on 24 December 2020.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement consists of:

• a Free Trade Agreement;
• a close partnership on citizens’ security;
• an overarching governance framework.

This Agreement is the result of negotiations carried out between the two sides following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union in February 2020. It was signed on 30 December 2020.

In February 2021, the European Union decided to request an extension to the provisional application until 30 April 2021, to allow sufficient time to complete the legal-linguistic revision of the agreement in all official languages, prior to scrutiny by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. Decision No 1/2021 was jointly adopted by the EU-UK Partnership Council on 23 February 2021. The European Parliament's relevant committees eventually endorsed the Agreement on 15 April, ahead of the final ratification vote by the plenary on 28 April 2021.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

Wikipedia: EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EU%E2%80%93UK_Trade_and_Cooperation_Agreement

Institute for Government: Explainer: UK–EU future relationship: the deal https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/future-relationship-trade-deal

British Chambers of Commerce: Press Release, 24/12/2020: BCC’s initial response to the announcement of a UK-EU trade agreement https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/news/2020/12/bccs-initial-response-to-the-announcement-of-a-uk-eu-trade-agreement-2

Deutsche Welle, 25/12/2020: EU-UK post-Brexit trade deal: What happens next? https://p.dw.com/p/3nCjH

RTÉ News, 26/12/2020: What's in the UK, EU post-Brexit trade pact? https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/1226/1186528-brexit-trade-deal/

Politico, 27/12/2020: 10 key details in the UK-EU trade deal https://www.politico.eu/article/10-key-details-uk-eu-brexit-trade-deal/

UKiCE: Commentary, 27/12/2020: What does the trade deal mean for fisheries? https://ukandeu.ac.uk/fisheries-trade-deal/

CEPS: In Brief, 29/12/2020: The Brexit trade deal is no frictionless uncoupling https://www.ceps.eu/the-brexit-trade-deal-is-no-frictionless-uncoupling/

House of Commons Library: Research Briefing (No. 9106), 30/12/2020: The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement: summary and implementation https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9106-2/

LSE: British Politics and Policy Blog, 30/12/2020: Parliament should have had a meaningful vote on the EU trade deal. But it did not. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/uk-eu-agreement-parliament/

UKiCE: Commentary, 31/12/2020: What the Brexit deal means for Northern Ireland https://ukandeu.ac.uk/what-the-brexit-deal-means-for-northern-ireland/

UKiCE: Commentary, 31/12/2020: What Brexit means for Britain's borders https://ukandeu.ac.uk/what-brexit-means-for-britains-borders/

The Economist, 02/01/2021: Britain’s relationship with the EU will look like Switzerland’s https://www.economist.com/britain/2021/01/02/britains-relationship-with-the-eu-will-look-like-switzerlands

CER: Insight, 12/01/2021: The EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement: A Platform on Which to Build? https://www.cer.eu/insights/eu-uk-trade-and-co-operation-agreement-platform-which-build

EPRS: Briefing, January 2021: Brexit: The EU-UK trade deal [What Think Tanks are thinking] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2021)659452

PIIE: PIIE Charts, 25/01/2021: How the EU-UK Brexit deal affects Britons https://www.piie.com/research/piie-charts/how-eu-uk-brexit-deal-affects-britons

DLA Piper: Insights, 26/01/2021: Investment protection falls victim to Brexit - Analysis of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement https://www.dlapiper.com/es/spain/insights/publications/2021/01/investment-protection-falls-victim-to-brexit/

LSE: Brexit Blog, 27/01/2021: Divergence, at what cost? https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexit/2021/01/27/divergence-at-what-cost/

White&Case: Alert, 04/02/2021: State aid and the Brexit Trade Agreement: what's new, what's not, and what's next https://www.whitecase.com/publications/alert/state-aid-and-brexit-trade-agreement-whats-new-whats-not-and-whats-next

EUCRIM: News, 03/03/2021: Spotlight Brexit: EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement – Impacts on PIF and JHA in a Nutshell https://eucrim.eu/news/brexit-eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement-impacts-on-pif-and-jha-in-nutshell/

EPC: Commentary, 05/03/2021: The European Parliament flexes its muscles on the EU–UK trade deal https://www.epc.eu/en/publications/The-European-Parliament-flexes-its-muscles-on-the-EUUK-trade-deal~3c43bc

UKiCE: Commentary, 08/03/2021: EU ratification enables much needed scrutiny of the Brexit deal https://ukandeu.ac.uk/scrutiny-of-the-brexit-deal/

LSE: EUROPP Blog, 12/04/2021: The role of the European Parliament in managing Brexit https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexit/2021/04/12/the-role-of-the-european-parliament-in-managing-brexit/

European Law Blog, 15/04/2021: ’In view of the exceptional and unique character’ of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement – an Exception to Separation of Powers within the EU? https://europeanlawblog.eu/2021/04/15/in-view-of-the-exceptional-and-unique-character-of-the-eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement-an-exception-to-separation-of-powers-within-the-eu/

EPRS: At a Glance, April 2021: EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2021)690569

UK CBI: Media Centre, 28/04/2021: CBI responds to European Parliament ratification of Trade and Cooperation Agreement https://www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre/articles/cbi-responds-to-european-parliament-ratification-of-trade-and-cooperation-agreement/

Euro|topics, April 2021: EU: agreement ratified, Brexit sealed https://www.eurotopics.net/en/260398/

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News

Euronews, 23/12/2020: Brexit deal: UK announces 'Canada-style' arrangement with EU after December 31 https://www.euronews.com/2020/12/23/agreement-on-post-brexit-trade-deal-expected-on-wednesday-eu-sources

The Guardian, 24/12/2020: UK and EU agree Brexit trade deal https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/24/uk-eu-agree-brexit-trade-deal-agreement

The New York Times, 24/12/2020: Britain and E.U. Reach Landmark Deal on Brexit https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/24/world/europe/brexit-trade-deal-uk-eu.html

Bloomberg, 24/12/2020: Brexit Trade Deal Sets Up EU, U.K. to Avoid Chaotic Rupture https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-24/u-k-eu-negotiators-finalize-historic-post-brexit-trade-accord

Politico, 26/12/2020: Commission publishes full text of UK-EU Brexit trade agreement https://www.politico.eu/article/commission-publishes-full-text-of-uk-eu-brexit-trade-agreement/

Reuters, 26/12/2020: Brexit trade deal published as UK calls for end to 'ugly' divisions https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu/idUKKBN29007K

Deutsche Welle, 26/12/2020: Brexit: EU and UK publish trade agreement https://p.dw.com/p/3nENY

EurActiv, 27/12/2020: Britain and EU release full text of post-Brexit trade deal https://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/britain-and-eu-release-full-text-of-post-brexit-trade-deal/

Politico, 09/02/2021: EU seeks more time to ratify Brexit deal https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-wants-more-time-to-ratify-brexit-deal-says-uk/

EurActiv, 10/02/2021: EU will request extension to pass Brexit deal, says UK’s Frost https://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/eu-will-request-extension-to-pass-brexit-deal-says-uks-frost/

CityAM, 23/02/2021: UK agrees to EU extension of Brexit trade deal ratification https://www.cityam.com/uk-agrees-to-eu-extension-of-brexit-trade-deal-ratification/

Associated Press, 23/02/2021: UK grants EU extra month to approve Brexit trade deal https://apnews.com/article/a9e93d89ca042482eb91cee96165dc5c

Reuters, 04/03/2021: EU lawmakers stall vote to ratify EU-UK trade deal in protest https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN2AW1MY

The Guardian, 04/03/2021: EU postpones setting date for ratifying Brexit trade deal https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/mar/04/uks-plan-to-extend-brexit-grace-period-infuriates-irish-and-eu-officials

RTÉ News, 04/03/2021: EU Parliament declines to set EU-UK trade deal vote https://www.rte.ie/news/brexit/2021/0304/1200963-eu-brexit/

Reuters, 15/04/2021: European Parliament gives initial backing to UK trade deal https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-parliament-committees-vote-favour-eu-uk-trade-deal-2021-04-15/

RFI News, 15/04/2021: EU politicians give initial backing to trade and cooperation deal with Britain https://www.rfi.fr/en/europe/20210415-eu-politicians-give-initial-backing-to-trade-and-cooperation-deal-with-britain

Politico, 15/04/2021: EU-UK trade deal moves toward ratification in European Parliament https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-uk-deal-moves-towards-ratification-in-european-parliament/

France24, 28/04/2021: European Parliament approves post-Brexit trade deal with UK https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210428-european-parliament-approves-post-brexit-trade-deal-with-uk

Helsinki Times, 28/04/2021: European Parliament ratifies EU-UK trade agreement https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/world-int/19127-european-parliament-ratifies-eu-uk-trade-agreement.html

The Guardian, 28/04/2021: European parliament votes through Brexit deal with big majority https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/apr/28/european-parliament-votes-through-brexit-deal-with-big-majority

BBC News, 28/04/2021: Brexit: European Parliament backs UK trade deal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56899831

Reuters, 28/04/2021: Distrustful EU lawmakers back trade deal with Britain https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-parliament-backs-post-brexit-eu-uk-trade-deal-verhofstadt-2021-04-28/

RTÉ News, 28/04/2021: 'Faithful implementation' needed as EU-UK trade deal approved https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0428/1212517-eu-brexit-trade-agreement/

Deutsche Welle, 28/04/2021: EU finalizes post-Brexit trade deal https://p.dw.com/p/3sfLX

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Official

European Commission: DG Trade: United Kingdom https://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/united-kingdom/

European Commission: Relations with the United Kingdom: The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement https://ec.europa.eu/info/relations-united-kingdom/eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement_en

UK Government: Agreements reached between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the European Union https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreements-reached-between-the-united-kingdom-of-great-britain-and-northern-ireland-and-the-european-union

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-a-stronger-europe-in-the-world/file-eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement

European Commission: Press Release, 24/12/2020: EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: protecting European interests, ensuring fair competition, and continued cooperation in areas of mutual interest https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_2531

European Commission: Questions & Answers: EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (24 December 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_2532

European Commission: Remarks by President Ursula von der Leyen at the press conference on the outcome of the EU-UK negotiations (24 December 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_2534

European Commission: Remarks by Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier at the press conference on the outcome of the EU-UK negotiations (24 December 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_2533

European Council: Press Release, 24/12/2020: European Council President Charles Michel on the agreement on the future EU-UK relationship https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/12/24/press-release-european-council-president-charles-michel-on-the-agreement-on-the-future-eu-uk-relationship/

European Parliament: Press Release, 24/12/2020: Sassoli: Deal on EU-UK future relations brings clarity for EU citizens and workers https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201223IPR94601/

EUR-LEX: COM(2020)855: Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing and on provisional application of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and of the Agreement concerning security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020PC0855

EUR-LEX: COM(2020)856: Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and of the Agreement concerning security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020PC0856

European Parliament: Press Release, 28/12/2020: European Parliament to scrutinise deal on future EU-UK relations https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201228IPR94701/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 29/12/2020: EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Council adopts decision on the signing https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/12/29/eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement-council-adopts-decision-on-the-signing/

EUR-LEX: Council Decision (EU) 2020/2252 on the signing and on provisional application of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and of the Agreement concerning security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2020/2252/oj

EU EASA: International Cooperation: EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement https://www.easa.europa.eu/document-library/bilateral-agreements/eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement

European Parliament: Press Release, 11/01/2021: Trade MEPs promise thorough scrutiny of the EU-UK agreement https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210111IPR95307/

EUR-LEX: COM(2021)62: Proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union in the EU-UK Partnership Council as regards the date on which provisional application of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement shall cease https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52021PC0064

Official Journal of the European Union: L 68, 26/02/2021: Decision No 1/2021 of the EU-UK Partnership Council as regards the date on which provisional application pursuant to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement is to cease http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/356/oj

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 26/02/2021: EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement: Council requests European Parliament's consent https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/02/26/eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement-council-requests-european-parliament-s-consent/

European Commission: Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (27 April 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_21_1967

Renew Europe Group: Newsroom, 27/04/2021: Ratification of the EU - UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement is ‘no blank cheque’ warns Renew Europe https://reneweuropegroup.eu/en/news/1882-ratification-of-the-eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement-is-no-blank-cheque-warns-renew-europe/

European Parliament: Press Release, 28/04/2021: MEPs hold final debate on future EU-UK relations before signing off agreement https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210422IPR02603/

European Parliament: Press Release, 28/04/2021: Parliament formally approves EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210423IPR02772/

Irish Government: Press Release, 28/04/2021: Minister Coveney and Minister Byrne welcome final steps in ratifying the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation https://www.dfa.ie/news-and-media/press-releases/press-release-archive/2021/april/minister-coveney-and-minister-byrne-welcome-final-steps-in-ratifying-the-eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation.php

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 29/04/2021: EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement: Council adopts decision on conclusion https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/04/29/eu-uk-trade-and-cooperation-agreement-council-adopts-decision-on-conclusion/

EUR-LEX: Council Decision (EU) 2021/689 on the conclusion of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and of the Agreement concerning security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/689/oj

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