Brexit deal: World leaders, politicians and industry heads react to trade pact

For many, the last-minute agreement comes as a relief, despite criticisms of the negotiations process

News of a Brexit deal being struck between the UK and European Union after months of difficult negotiations has received a mixed response from world leaders, politicians and industry heads across the continent. 

Many have welcomed the news of a trade pact between Britain and the EU, but others have been left disappointed by the deal and its last-minute delivery.

World leaders respond

Boris Johnson: ‘We have taken back control’

Prime minister Boris Johnson has said the new deal represents the UK having “taken back control of our laws and our destiny”. 

“We have taken back control of every jot and tittle of our regulation in a way that is complete and unfettered,” he said in a No 10 press conference.

“From January 1 we are outside the customs union and outside the single market,” he said. "British laws will be made solely by the British parliament interpreted by British judges sitting in UK courts and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice will come to an end."

Nicola Sturgeon says Brexit ‘happening against Scotland’s will

Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon responded to news of a Brexit deal by writing that it was worth remembering that Brexit is “happening against Scotland’s will".

“There is no deal that will ever make up for what Brexit takes away from us,” she said.

Meanwhile, the SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford added: “Scotland will be poorer from being out of the EU …  The UK is taking us out of the best deal possible that ends free movement, takes us out of the single market and customs union ending economic, social and cultural opportunities.”

Mark Drakeford: ‘We need to receive a copy’ 

Wales first minister Mark Drakeford was critical of the timing of the Brexit deal, but said a late agreement was better than none.

"Clearly, we need to receive a copy of the draft treaty and analyse its terms before commenting in detail," Mr Drakeford said.

“But at every stage of the negotiations we have argued for a deal which would allow us to maintain the closest possible relationship with the EU. The evidence tells us this is the way to protect the economy and jobs,” he said.

"Faced with a binary choice between no deal and this - indeed any deal - we would prefer a deal."

Arlene Foster: ‘The Start of a new era’ 

Northern Ireland's leaders welcomed the agreement, with First Minister Arlene Foster saying: “This is the start of a new era in the relationship between the UK and the EU and in Northern Ireland we will want to maximise the opportunities the new arrangements provide for our local economy.”

Deputy first minister Michelle O'Neill said the Stormont Executive would analyse the details of the agreement.

"While we have distinctly different political positions on leaving the EU, we are all agreed that it's in no-one interests to leave without a deal, therefore this announcement is good news which will be welcomed across the whole island," she said.

"As an Executive we will now need to consider the detail of the agreement because there will be many questions on what the agreement means for businesses and citizens and it is important they get that clarity."

Ursula von der Leyen: ‘A balanced deal’ 

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed the new deal, saying: "We have finally found an agreement.

“It was a long and winding road, but we have got a good deal to show for it,” she said. 

The agreement, she said was “fair” and “balanced”, with the pact including a five-and-a-half year transition period for the fishing industry and cooperation on issues like climate change, security and transport.

“It is the right and responsible thing to do for both sides,” she added.

The European Commission president added that she felt “quiet satisfaction” and “relief” that a deal had been struck.

Emmanuel Macron thanks Michel Barnier

In a Twitter statement, French president Emmanuel Macron welcomed the agreement, thanking Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator for his "tenacity and commitment" to defending the interests of Europeans and the EU. He also thanked Ursula Von der Leyen, writing "European solidarity has shown its strength".

Business groups: 'Huge relief’, but still work to be done

British industry leaders have welcomed the trade pact as a “huge relief”.

“This will come as a huge relief to British business at a time when resilience is at an all-time low. But coming so late in the day it is vital that both sides take instant steps to keep trade moving and services flowing while firms adjust. And with a deal secured we can begin our new chapter on firmer ground,” said Tony Danker, the director general of CBI.

“Firms will immediately study the details, when they can, to understand the implications for their companies, customers and clients but immediate guidance from government is required across all sectors,” he said.

"Above all, we need urgent confirmation of grace periods to smooth the cliff edge on everything from data to rules of origin and we need to ensure we keep goods moving across borders."

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: "After years of campaigning for zero-tariff trade, we welcome the announcement of a free-trade agreement between the UK and EU.

"Given that four-fifths of UK food imports come from the EU, today's announcement should afford households around the UK a collective sigh of relief.

"The UK and EU governments have taken a crucially important step in agreeing a zero-tariff agreement, to the benefit of customers all over Europe. They must now work to implement this new arrangement as soon as possible, ensuring there are no tariffs from day one, and finding new ways to reduce the checks and red tape that we'll see from January 1."

Meanwhile, Richard Burge, chief executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said he hoped the UK and EU would be be “open-minded” when it comes to mitigating the impacts of the last-minute deal. 

 “There are likely to still be questions unanswered and operational detail missing,” he said. "The negotiations running this late in the day have not helped, so I hope both the Government and the EU will be open-minded regarding working together to cushion the impact of the change in relationship, wherever possible."

Another person relieved by today's news is Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, who welcomed the news of the agreement "at the 11th hour".

She has said: "It is good news for a sector which has been crippled by the Covid-19 pandemic and which feared the consequences of a no-deal Brexit.

"Thankfully this worrying outcome has been avoided and now the sector can look ahead to 2021 with more confidence.

This celebratory statement comes with a warning, however, as she said: "But British holidaymakers could face higher health costs and added red tape. The devil will be in the detail of the deal - and only time will tell what the true consequences are for travellers."

Car giant Nissan welcomed the deal, saying in a statement: "We look forward to the continued success of our UK-based design, engineering and manufacturing operations, which have been serving the European market for more than 30 years."

However, Workers’ Unions are not taking a sigh of relief just yet, with Unison general secretary Dave Prentis saying: "Any deal is better than the catastrophe of no deal, but the Government's mishandling of Brexit means even with this agreement, working people and public services still face huge uncertainty.

"It will be public services and the staff running them who will pay the price, as they always have done.

"This is all happening at Christmas, during a pandemic, with only a week until the end of the transition period. This was all completely avoidable."