Tensions between the British government and the European Union over checks at the Northern Ireland sea border are rising again, with an emergency meeting scheduled for Wednesday. U.S. President Joe Biden has called on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to stick to the previously agreed arrangements with the EU.
The British actually want to abandon the agreements regarding Northern Ireland's customs position, but Europe's patience with the British appears to be running out. Earlier this year, Europe and London chose to avoid a 'hard border' on the island of Ireland.
To prevent goods from being smuggled freely between Northern Ireland and England, customs checks were to be introduced at Northern Irish ports. This has resulted in delays in retail supply in Northern Ireland.
The sparsely stocked store shelves and the complicated import procedures for food from the United Kingdom have provided fertile ground for increased criticism of the EU in Northern Ireland. Brexit Minister David Frost accuses Europe of 'bureaucratic inflexibility.' Frost, who personally helped negotiate the separation agreement, says he was unaware of the consequences the Northern Ireland arrangements would have.
Frost is asking Europe to use common sense and allow more flexibility for trade between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. U.S. President Joe Biden, who will visit London later this week for the G7 economic summit, says trading partners must honor previously made agreements. Biden, a descendant of Irish emigrants to the U.S., thereby supports the Irish and European authorities.
In March, the British government unilaterally and without consultation decided to postpone product and customs checks at least until October. However, the technical implementation is also faltering. Databases for customs checks are still not connected. Not only is the IT infrastructure lacking, but there is also insufficient trained staff for the inspections.