Hindu Daily Digest - Editor’s Pick: Britain gets a deal

(The Editor's Pick is a new newsletter from The Hindu that provides a snapshot of the most important stories from today's edition of our newspaper, along with a note from our top editors on why we chose to give prominence to these stories.)

Just a week before the end of the Brexit transition period, Britain and the European Union struck a historic free-trade deal on Christmas Eve that should avert economic chaos and bring a measure of certainty for businesses after years of Brexit turmoil. Once ratified by both sides, the agreement will ensure Britain and the 27-nation bloc can continue to trade in goods without tariffs or quotas after the U.K. breaks fully free of the EU on January 1.

The trade agreement, reportedly running to 2,000 pages, contains provisions on subjects ranging from civil nuclear cooperation and energy interconnections to fishing and aviation. It comes as a huge victory for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was one of Brexit’s original champions and leaders of the political movement that saw him rise to his current position. The deal is doubly welcome because of fears over the new coronavirus strain in Britain that has seen cases surge and has led many countries to close its borders to it. Coupling that with a ‘no deal’ Brexit would have been disastrous and so it’s no wonder that Mr Johnson immediately tweeted a picture of himself with both thumbs up following the news. Later at a press conference he said: "We have taken back control of our laws and our destiny."

For Europe’s leaders, the deal is seen as the least worst option, described by European commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who led the negotiations, as the ‘right and responsible thing to do for both sides’. “I want to say parting is such sweet sorrow but, to use the line from TS Eliot, what we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is often a beginning. So, to all Europeans, I think it is time to leave Brexit behind,” she added.

If indeed Brexit, and its associated anxieties and turmoil, can now be left behind it would mark a turning point in global politics as significant as the impending departure of Donald Trump from the American Presidency. For the past five years, Trump and Brexit, political movements bound by similar ideas and impulses that seemed to rise together, have been like two sides of an accordion, playing a discordant tune. It could be time now for some harmony at last.

This is also important news from an Indian perspective. The UK is looking for a trade deal with India which could be worth up to £100 billion, which if it becomes reality would become one of the biggest post-Brexit trade deals. The freedom to sign such bilateral agreements with countries such as India was one of the key promises made by supporters of Brexit. Mr Johnson is also expected to be India’s guest of honor at the coming Republic Day celebrations and he will now undoubtedly come with a much stronger hand to play. That’s what makes this story important.

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor's Pick and more. Click here