Another era of Splendid Isolation? Political, commercial, and legal impact of Brexit on EU-UK Relations

Through a comparative approach, the thesis explores the multifaceted evolution of EU–UK relations prior to and in the aftermath of Brexit, intertwining political ideologies, trade dynamics, and legal frameworks. After having set the stage with a political overview of the long-standing ideological clash between EU’s integration agenda and UK’s claim to national sovereignty, the main area of discussion deals with trade. In particular, the core focus is on the transition from highly streamlined, duty-free intra-EU transactions to the UK’s restoration of trade barriers along with the establishment of an independent regulatory framework, resulting in a reverse to a conventional free trade area (in accordance with parties’ request for reciprocal territorial and market integrity). The discussion delves into the restoration of inevitable tariff barriers and in the UK’s approach in managing sanitary and technical controls in trade flows with the EU and consequently with other countries. A well-rounded analysis of post-Brexit EU–UK trade, encompassing both tariff and non-tariff barriers, cannot neglect contract playbooks, which are here treated as essential strategic tools for Brexit-proofed trade. Moreover, intra-relations are here tackled, checking into the coexistence among the Member States and the Home Nations, as well as the unique complexities of the Northern Ireland case, delving into what has been accomplished to preserve the delicate political balance and economic prosperity of the area. On the global stage, Brexit is interpreted as an early but powerful signal of policy-driven trade regionalism, reflecting a shift away from WTO-based multilateralism toward a diffuse protectionist policy, permitting only selected and regulated alliances. While initially pursuing an autonomous trade policy echoing Victorian Empire’s ambitions, evolving geopolitical pressures have prompted the UK to recalibrate the relation with the EU towards a pragmatic rapprochement, aimed to restore interdependence ties in response to external threats.