So the U.K. has now left the EU. We all have many questions about what this will mean for life going forward in the U.K. and for study abroad. Colleagues in our London Center shared this insightful article as a broad overview: The U.K. Exits: 20 Quick Things You Should Know. Some highlights from the article are below - food for thought!
20 quick points as the U.K. enters the transition phase to negotiate its future relationship and end its 46-year marriage with the EU.
What changes on 31 January?
The United Kingdom leaves the European Union at 11.00 p.m. London time on Friday 31 January 2020. It ceases to be a Member State and becomes, in EU jargon, a ‘third country’.
What stays the same?
From the moment of exit until 31 December 2020 – that is 11 months – the U.K. will be in the ‘transition period’. The U.K. government calls the transition period the ‘implementation period’.
Why is it referred to as a ‘status quo transition’?
During the transition period, the U.K. remains in the Single Market and in the Customs Union. The four freedoms of the Single Market – goods, services, people and capital – continue to apply in and to the U.K.
Is the U.K. still bound by EU law?
Yes. During the transition period, EU law continues to be directly applicable in the U.K. and to have a direct effect.
Does this affect trade with countries outside the EU?
During the transition period, the U.K. remains bound by agreements (including trade agreements) between the EU and third countries.
Does anything change during the transition period?
During the transition period, the U.K. has no rights of representation or participation in any EU body, forum, meeting or institution (with some very limited exceptions).
What will those ‘future relationship’ negotiations cover?
Trade-in goods and services. Movement of data. Transport. Energy. Fisheries. Defense, security and intelligence. ‘Level playing commitments’ on state aid, tax, and social and environmental protection will be sought by the EU, so that, in its view, the U.K. cannot gain competitive advantage through deregulation and changing standards in those areas. A governance framework for these areas...
The European Commission produced this useful slide deck summarizing the Withdrawal Agreement, and this set of Q&As discussing the U.K.'s exit.