In an interview with BBC Newsnight Dr Clair Gammage provided expert commentary on negotiating new trade deals post-Brexit:
“What’s quite interesting about the transition period as it’s set out in the withdrawal agreement is that the clause stipulates that we can’t do anything that would prejudice the interests of the European Union as we negotiate new trade agreements.
So the question I would have is how can you negotiate a new trade agreement with a partner that may already have a trade agreement with the EU in a way that isn’t prejudicial to EU interests.
So strictly speaking I suppose there’s sufficient space to negotiate new agreements. We wouldn’t be able to conclude them until we actually left officially, after the transition period ends, but there is this question mark over what it means to be doing something against the interests of the European Union.”
Watch the full programme on iPlayer
Dr Clair Gammage recently published a Law School blog post co-written with Professor Phil Syrpis on the recent draft agreement: "Why the Draft Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU should satisfy neither Leavers nor Remainers"