UK,EU reach post-Brexit trade deal -NHK WORLD -JAPAN- 3 hours ago
The leaders of the United Kingdom and the European Union say they have reached an agreement in their post-Brexit trade negotiations.
UK Prime Minister Boris Jonson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the announcement at separate news conferences on Thursday.
Johnson said the two sides have completed "the biggest trade deal yet."
He said the "comprehensive" free trade deal will protect jobs across the country and allow UK goods and components to be sold without tariffs in the EU market.
Von der Leyen said it was " a long and winding road" but the two sides have got " a good deal to show for it." She called the deal " fair" and "balanced."
The agreement came just seven days ahead of the year-end deadline.
Analysts say the lack of any deal would have dealt a further blow to the UK and EU economies, which are already reeling from the ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic.
The deal avoids tariffs that would have been imposed on products to be traded between the UK and the EU from New Tear's Day.
The negotiations began in March, after the UK exited the EU in January.
The last remaining sticking points included EU fishing rihts in British waters.
