国际英语资讯:Spotlight: EU, Britain reach new Brexit deal but uncertainties still remain_时事

国际英语资讯:Spotlight: EU, Britain reach new Brexit deal but uncertainties still remain

UNCERTAINTIES STILL REMAIN

In another development, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's ruling partner and the main party in Northern Ireland, said in a statement that it could not support the deal. This cast a shadow over the fate of the deal in British parliament where Johnson's conservative party doesn't enjoy a clear majority.

The British pound lost 0.5 percent against the U.S. dollar and the euro within minutes of the DUP statement.

DUP support for Johnson's Brexit proposals are seen as crucial to ensure it has a better chance of getting backing in the House of Commons on Saturday.

"As things stand, we could not support what is being suggested on customs and consent issues and there is a lack of clarity on VAT (value added tax)," DUP leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds said in a statement.

"We will continue to work with the government to try and get a sensible deal that works for Northern Ireland and protects the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom," it said.

But for Juncker and many EU leaders, the new deal means that there is no need for any kind of prolongation, thus it is a "this deal or no deal" choice for British parliament.

Following a referendum in which 52 percent of voters supported withdrawal in June 2016, the British government invoked Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union and started a two-year Brexit process which was originally scheduled to conclude with London withdrawing from the EU on March 29, 2019.