Truss on collision course with US over NI Protocol Bill says Congressman

US Congressman and member of the influential Ways and Means Committee Brendan Boyle (Dem) has today slammed Liz Truss’ Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, claiming it would be a violation of international law opposed by the White house and both parties of Congress.

Congressman Boyle’s comments come ahead of his appearance at the cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission today and as Liz Truss gets her feet under the desk at Number 10. During her campaign to become Conservative Party Leader, Liz Truss said that one of her key objectives was increasing the UK’s trading relationships and fulfilling the ‘Global Britain’ agenda.  

However, the comments from Congressman Boyle confirm suspicions that a US/UK trade deal would be on the rocks if the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, approaching its second reading of the House of Lords, passes through Parliament. This would spell early danger for the new Prime Minister as she searches for some good economic news amid runaway inflation and as the UK struggles to replace lost EU trade.

The Congressman further warned that the move will also be used by authoritarian regimes around the world as cover for their own actions which breach international law. Earlier this year, the Chinese Government cited the UK Government’s willingness to unilaterally renege on the NI Protocol in defending human rights abuses in Hong Kong.

US Congressman Brendan Boyle said: 

“While the President has offered the incoming Prime Minister his congratulations, PM Truss’ stated intention to violate international law remains a matter of serious bi-partisan concern across Congress and for the Biden administration.

“Peace in Northern Ireland is a historic joint legacy of the US, the UK, Ireland and the EU, and it is vital that Liz Truss protects it by abandoning this Bill which will not only put a US/UK trade deal in deep freeze, but which gives succour to law-breaking governments around the world.” 

Hilary Benn MP, co-convenor of the UK Trade and Business Commission who will chair today’s session said: 

“With very challenging economic conditions ahead, there is wide support for the benefits that the Protocol gives Northern Ireland in the form of access to the EU’s market of 450 million people. 

“The current standoff with the EU is not helping to provide the certainty that investment needs, and the way to solve the problems with the Protocol is to drop the Bill and go back to negotiations. “