But the U.K. is demanding the right to diverge
from the bloc’s rules in order to strike new
trade deals around the world and bolster the
British economy.
“In pursuit of a deal we will not trade away
our sovereignty,” Michael Gove, the minister in
charge of Brexit preparations, told lawmakers in
the House of Commons.
Britain’s negotiating mandate insists that “we will
not agree to any obligations for our laws to be
aligned with the EU’s, or for the EU’s institutions,
including the Court of Justice, to have any
jurisdiction in the U.K.”
That conflict will be one of the big hurdles in talks,
which are due to begin Monday in Brussels.
Britain left the EU on Jan. 31 but remains bound
by the bloc’s rules until a post-Brexit transition
period ends on Dec. 31. A divorce agreementImage: Jessica Taylor