CRS-英国：议案背景、脱欧以及与美国的关系（英文）-2021.4-24页_1mb

Summary of the United Kingdom: Background, Brexit, and Relations with the United States

Core Content

The United Kingdom (UK) has long been regarded as the United States' closest and most reliable ally, based on shared history, values, and culture, as well as a strong economic and security partnership. The UK's withdrawal from the European Union (EU), known as Brexit, has significantly altered its international role and affected U.S.-UK relations. This summary outlines the key aspects of the UK's political and economic situation post-Brexit, as well as the implications for its relationship with the United States.

Main Points

UK Government and Brexit

• The UK government is led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the Conservative Party.
• Brexit has been the central issue in UK politics since the 2016 referendum, which resulted in 52% of voters supporting withdrawal from the EU.
• The 2019 general election gave the Conservatives a large majority (365 seats), allowing them to pass the withdrawal agreement with the EU.
• The agreement included a Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, which created a customs border in the Irish Sea to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, ensuring regulatory alignment with the EU for Northern Ireland.

UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)

• The Trade and Cooperation Agreement was signed in December 2020 and entered into force on January 1, 2021.
• The TCA is not comprehensive, but it avoids a "no-deal" scenario by maintaining tariff- and quota-free trade in goods, provided they meet rules of origin.
• It includes limited cooperation on trade in services, energy, fisheries, and transport, but no formal foreign policy or defense cooperation.
• The agreement allows for annual reviews and termination with 12 months' notice.
• The EU and UK have agreed to data adequacy decisions to allow continued data transfers, effective for four years if approved.

UK Economy

• The UK is the 6th-largest economy in the world with a GDP of approximately $2.71 trillion in 2020.
• The U.S. and UK are each other's largest foreign investors, with a mutually beneficial trade relationship.
• The UK's vaccination program has been successful, with over half of the adult population vaccinated by April 2021.
• The government has allocated over £407 billion in fiscal support to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S.-UK Relations

• The U.S. and UK maintain a close alliance, particularly within NATO and on global security issues.
• The Biden Administration has a skeptical view of Brexit but aims for pragmatic cooperation with both the UK and the EU.
• The U.S. Congress has shown interest in U.S.-UK relations, including the potential for a free trade agreement (FTA) and the implications of Brexit on Northern Ireland.
• The UK and U.S. have engaged in five rounds of FTA negotiations in 2020, with the possibility of legislative oversight by Congress.

Northern Ireland and Brexit

• Post-Brexit arrangements have caused friction and dissatisfaction among unionist communities in Northern Ireland, who view them as undermining the union with the rest of the UK.
• The Northern Ireland Protocol has been a major point of contention, with the DUP opposing it, fearing it threatens the UK's constitutional integrity.
• Riots and unrest in Northern Ireland in April 2021 highlighted the tensions over Brexit arrangements.
• Analysts note that other factors, such as public health measures and economic inequality, also contribute to the instability in the region.

Key Information

• Brexit was originally scheduled for March 29, 2019, but was delayed due to political deadlock over the Northern Ireland border issue.
• The withdrawal agreement was passed by Parliament in January 2020, ending the UK's 47-year EU membership.
• The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) was finalized in December 2020 and entered into force in January 2021.
• The UK and EU have agreed to data adequacy decisions to facilitate data transfers.
• The UK's economic relationship with the U.S. remains strong, with the UK being a major financial center.
• The U.S. Congress has expressed interest in the implications of Brexit on global stability, trade, and security.
• The UK's post-Brexit trade policy is now fully independent, with its own national trade policy.

Conclusion

Brexit has transformed the UK's role in the international arena, with significant implications for its economic, political, and security relationships. While the UK remains a key U.S. ally, the complexity of post-Brexit arrangements and the impact on Northern Ireland continue to pose challenges to both UK-EU and U.S.-UK relations. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides a partial framework for the UK's future relationship with the EU, but further negotiations and adjustments may be necessary. The U.S. Congress remains closely monitoring these developments and their global impact.