Maros Sefcovic stresses EU’s stance on the protocol, stating that blackmail will not be tolerated in the ongoing Brexit dispute.

The EU’s chief negotiator has firmly stated that Brussels will not succumb to threats or blackmail from the UK regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol, amidst escalating tensions that threaten to spark a trade war.

Maros Sefcovic accused Boris Johnson of misleading the public about the impacts of Brexit, urging for greater honesty about the consequences of the hard Brexit path chosen by the UK. Sefcovic emphasised that the EU is united in rejecting British demands to alter the controversial protocol, which has established a customs border between Northern Ireland and the UK mainland.

In a direct response to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss’s warning that Britain may take unilateral action if the EU does not compromise, Sefcovic stressed the EU’s commitment to constructive engagement, not threats. His comments follow intense discussions between Truss and Sefcovic, where the UK government signalled plans to introduce legislation that could override the protocol. Truss had expressed regret over the EU’s refusal to revise the negotiating mandate and insisted that if the EU did not show more flexibility, the UK would be forced to act.

This ultimatum came shortly after Attorney General Suella Braverman confirmed that legal advice indicated it would be lawful for the UK to discard parts of the protocol, which the government believes is being implemented in an unfair and unreasonable manner. Meanwhile, former Brexit minister Lord Frost backed the government’s stance, arguing that action was now essential, even if it led to confrontation with the EU.

Downing Street has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, but no final decision has been made yet. While talks are continuing, Sefcovic warned that any move to unilaterally disregard the protocol would risk deepening the rift between the UK and the EU. He cautioned that such an action could lead to a trade war, potentially suspending the zero-tariff trade deal established in 2020.

Further complicating the matter, Sefcovic expressed “serious concern” over the UK’s stance, describing any attempt to walk away from the protocol as unacceptable. He reiterated the EU’s position, stating, “We will not renegotiate the protocol, and unilateral action is not the solution.”

Truss has voiced frustration over what she sees as the protocol’s detrimental impact on trade and its unequal treatment of Northern Ireland, which she believes creates a “two-tier system.” She proposed a light-touch “green channel” for goods destined for Northern Ireland, with stricter checks reserved for goods heading to the Republic of Ireland. However, Sefcovic made it clear that the EU will not entertain further concessions or changes to the protocol’s implementation.

The situation remains tense, with both sides digging in their heels. Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has supported the EU’s stance, urging for dialogue rather than threats. He called for a resolution through partnership, not through escalating tensions.

The ongoing row underscores the deep divisions that persist over Brexit’s legacy and its unresolved implications for Northern Ireland’s status. The next steps remain uncertain, but the risk of a breakdown in trade relations and further political fallout is growing.