UK aims to end North protocol row before planned Biden visit next year

The United Kingdom has a six-month deadline to resolve the Northern Ireland protocol row, with plans afoot for a state visit next year for Joe Biden to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement.

The UK government believes the date next April is a vital moment to get the Northern Ireland Executive up and running again, with unionist parties blocking the power-sharing institutions as part of a protest against post-Brexit trading rules.

The Biden administration raised the protocol with UK prime minister Liz Truss in her first bilateral talks with the US president in New York on Wednesday, amid concerns in the White House the agreement could be under threat as a result of the long-running row.

In his televised opening remarks at the start of the meeting, signalling their significance, Mr Biden told Ms Truss: “We are both committed to protecting the Good Friday Agreement of Northern Ireland. I’m looking forward to hearing what’s on your mind.”

While the primary focus of the trip for Ms Truss was tackling Russian aggression in Ukraine, it raises concerns that the new prime minister was letting the protocol issue “drift”, despite her promises.

Over the two days, she has declined to discuss the issue with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and held a “behind-closed-doors” meeting with the European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen.

‘Preserving gains of peace’

Downing Street said that in the Biden meeting, which ran 15 minutes over, the two leaders had agreed the “priority” was making sure the Belfast Agreement was upheld, “preserving the gains of peace” in Northern Ireland.

Diplomats suggested that Mr Biden could travel to the United Kingdom to mark the 25th anniversary of the agreement, creating a deadline for the EU and UK to resolve the issues.

“If you look at the calendar you will conclude that next year might be an obvious reason to visit Europe if things come good,” one source said.

The British government regards the anniversary as a key decision point in resolving the row but has concerns that the lack of an Executive at Stormont could create an obstacle, and is working to get it up and running again as soon as possible.

Downing Street has attempted to decouple the protocol row from Britain striking a coveted free trade deal with the United States. Ms Truss admitted ahead of her visit that an agreement may not happen for years, despite it being hailed by Brexit supporters as one of the major potential benefits of leaving the EU.

Within days of taking over, the White House warned Ms Truss against “undoing” the protocol, stressing that although there was no “formal linkage” between the issue and striking a free trade deal, it would not create a “conducive environment”.

The British government has vowed to secure changes to the protocol, either by way of a negotiated compromise with the EU or through controversial domestic legislation that would empower ministers to scrap the arrangements without the approval of Brussels.

Political opponents have criticised the DUP boycott, which they said was hampering efforts to support families struggling amid the cost of living crisis. The Executive has been suspended for three out of the last five years.

‘Insurance policy’

Both sides have said in recent weeks that they are determined to find an agreed path for post-Brexit trade rules in Northern Ireland, with the United Kingdom demanding the removal of physical checks on farm produce and other goods.

However, the United Kingdom has also insisted it will maintain the right to take unilateral action as an “insurance policy” in the event a solution cannot be found.

Former prime minister Tony Blair has been involved in reassuring EU nations and the United States that the row over the post-Brexit trading rules in Northern Ireland was not a threat to the stability of the Belfast Agreement, according to British diplomats.

One said: “Tony has certainly been explaining to the Europeans and the Americans that the British government have a real point on the trading aspects of the Northern Ireland protocol. He’s been explaining in a way that only he can, given his role in the Good Friday agreement.

“He has been explaining why there’s no danger, why it’s not about the Good Friday agreement. It’s about communities.

“And he’s been explaining why the EU’s proposals will not will not work. Now he doesn’t agree with the government on every point, but he certainly has been a helpful voice in that.”

A spokesperson for Mr Blair declined to comment. — Guardian