External Relations of the European Union
and the United Kingdom after Brexit
Lecturer, The Hague University of Applied Sciences
After Brexit, the UK will have to negotiate numerous international treaties to replace the agreements previously concluded by the Union. Unless the UK obtains a significant extension of withdrawal negotiations, probably it will not be able to conclude agreements with its main trade partners before its exit from the Union. Even if the UK managed to conclude new trade agreements with third countries, they would be unlikely to ameliorate its position in international relations.
Après le Brexit, le Royaume-Uni devra négocier plusieurs traités internationaux afin de remplacer les accords auparavant conclus par l’Union. A moins que le Royaume-Uni obtienne une extension significative des négociations de retrait, il ne sera probablement pas en mesure de conclure des accords avec ses principaux partenaires commerciaux avant sa sortie de l’Union. Même si le Royaume-Uni parvenait à conclure de nouveaux accords commerciaux avec des pays tiers, il est peu probable que ces accords améliorent sa position dans les relations internationales.
* The present contribution is based on a presentation made in September 2018 and has been updated on 14 February 2019.