EU-UK Northern Ireland deal is only a temporary fix

Significance

The extension permits retailers in Northern Ireland to continue importing products such as mince, sausages and pies from Great Britain until September 30. It is designed to ease implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol (NIP) at a time of heightened tension between the EU and United Kingdom over Northern Ireland.

Impacts

• London could announce further unilateral action concerning the NIP before the parliamentary recess on July 22.
• Future unilateral action by the UK government in relation to the NIP’s implementation risks undermining the EU-UK trade deal.
• Though unlikely, early elections in Northern Ireland this year would further complicate the implementation of the protocol.