France and the United Kingdom accuse each other of violating the post-Brexit trade agreement. The British Prime Minister indicated at the G20 meeting in Rome that he rejects French threats to close French ports to British ships and increase control over British products.
“I think the postponements agreed by France and the United Kingdom are far more important than the ones that divide us. We are working hard with our friends and partners to resolve the contentious issues. However, I must say that we are a little bit violating our trade and cooperation agreement,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. .
After the United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union, the two countries agreed to issue licenses to the other country’s fishing vessels to fish in their territorial waters, on the condition that these companies prove that they have been operating in those waters for years, but the licenses were issued. In many cases, the application for a license from some French fishing companies is not considered justified by the British authorities.
So the French government proposed not only tightening port rules, but also to restrict Anglo-French maritime trade and to prevent the British from supplying power from the mainland. The British government considers this an overreaction and acknowledges that President Emmanuel Macron wants to show strength in his struggles to increase his popularity ahead of the upcoming French presidential election.
