Finally, after 1,317 days of confusion, rancor and endless votes in Parliament, it was time for Brexit. “A new dawn for Europe,” leaders of the European Union wrote in a joint article. “This is the moment when the dawn breaks,” came Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s echo from across the newly raised dividing line. Mr. Johnson has promised not to seek an extension of the Dec. 31 deadline, which he could, though a less complex trade deal between the E.U. A former British ambassador to Washington, Kim Darroch — who resigned in July after his derogatory comments about Mr. Trump leaked out — was among those who noted in interviews that Mr. Trump is not given to generous trade concessions, least of all in an election year.

Source: New York Times February 01, 2020 02:03 UTC