UK to unilaterally alter N. Ireland post-Brexit trade deal

The UK will draught a new post-Brexit trade protocol with Northern Ireland “in coming weeks”, but prefers a negotiated solution with the European Union, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Tuesday.

“Our preference remains a negotiated solution with the EU, and in parallel with the legislation being introduced, we remain open to further talks,” Truss told parliament.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Northern Ireland’s largest pro-British party, is currently refusing to resume power-sharing in Belfast with pro-Irish rivals Sinn Fein until the protocol is reworked.

All political parties in Northern Ireland want the protocol changed, Truss said.

Truss said she had invited EU Vice President Maros Sefcovic to London for talks “as soon as possible”, amid fears the UK’s unilateral move could spark a trade war.

“To respond to the very grave and serious situation in Northern Ireland, we are clear there is a necessity to act to ensure the institutions can be restored as soon as possible,” Truss said.

The DUP’s stance comes nearly two weeks after Sinn Fein won a historic first victory in devolved Stormont assembly elections, entitling the party to the role of first minister in a joint executive with the DUP.