The UK government is resisting EU scrutiny following a possible trade deal. Britain does not intend to allow EU surveillance after the trade deal.

“To believe that we can accept EU surveillance under what is called a level playing field is simply impossible”, said the British negotiator David Frost in a speech to the Free University of Brussels. “The UK has left the EU so that it no longer gets involved in rules and regulations. In the future, it could only pass laws at its discretion”, added he.

Following Brexit, relations between the UK and the EU are based on transitional rules without any change. However, they apply until the end of the year and must be replaced by a trade agreement that must be ready by then. Negotiations are due to begin in March. However, many experts believe the period is too short due to the complex matter involved.

However, David Frost made it clear that his government would not agree to a longer transition period. On January 1, 2021, Britain will regain full political and economic independence. “Why to put it off?”, he asked, explaining that London would rather not have an agreement than an agreement with compromises on key issues.

The EU has stated that it will seek the best possible trade relations with the UK, but only if there is clearly verifiable equality of opportunity in the UK for companies from EU countries – from environmental standards to state aid. London is sovereign in its legislation – but the farther the UK laws and regulations are from the EU, the less profitable the negotiated trade agreement will be, the position of Brussels.

EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier has already assured that the EU will not agree to an agreement at any cost, just to avoid the costly chaos of a no-agreement state after January 1, 2021.