'The deal is done,' Johnson exclaims after securing Brexit agreement

In a last-ditch effort to secure a trade deal with the EU, Britain pulled what many in football call a hail mary and successfully secured a trade agreement just days before the January 1st deadline.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson appearing jubilant following Brexit deal. Image: Johnson Twitter page. Dec 24. 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared jubilant to the news following days of grim looks and cautionary messages of a no-deal exit from the bloc.

“We have completed the biggest trade deal yet, worth 660 billion pounds a year, a comprehensive Canada-style free trade deal between the UK and the EU,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a delivered speech.

Britain's departure from the union means Brits will no longer have the luxury to travel visa-less to any European state, neither will they be able to drive without an international driving license. Working in the EU will also become complicated for Brits since they'll now have to apply for ordinary work permits.

But despite the changes, Johnson urged Brits to make the most of the new way of living and embrace their "newly and truly independent nation."

To the EU Johnson struck a more moderate supportive tone, telling the 27 member bloc "We will be your friend, your ally, your supporter and indeed, never let it be forgotten, your number one market."

Negotiators from both sides had to power through overnight on a pizza and takeaway diet to do what many thought was the impossible by hashing out all remaining differences--especially the issue on fishery rights--in the nick of time to sign and ratify the agreement before the end of the year.

“It is fair, it is a balanced deal and it is the right and responsible thing to do for both sides,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

“Today is a day of relief, but tinged by some sadness as we compare what came before with what lies ahead. The clock is no longer ticking, after four years of collective effort and EU unity to preserve peace and stability on the island of Ireland, to protect the citizens and the single market, and to build a new partnership with the UK,” EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said.

The deal ensures Britain and all 27 EU state members continue to trade goods without tariffs or quotas.

Johnson now has to take the 1,500-page text to parliament, reconvene MPs and ratify the agreement by Dec. 31st. Unlike the previous Conservative prime minister who also successfully hashed out an agreement with the EU then failed to pass the deal in parliament, Johnson's Conservative Party has a majority of seats in the House to comfortably guarantee the deal's approval.

By: Niza Nondo