EU has triggered article 16 over controls on vaccine exports

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Breaking news on sky
news.sky.com/story/covid-19-eu-introduces-controls-on-vaccine-exports-to-northern-ireland-12202656

Completely extraordinary.

So irresponsible of the EU.

So does that mean that after all of their bleating and using the US as pressure that there must never be a hard border in Ireland, they have caused one?
I hope other countries are starting to see the EU for the bullies they are

The EU have triggered the border.

They are making some bad bad decisions.

So worrying - just awful behaviour.

Merkel is a disgrace.

As someone on another thread said "The EU has gone bonkers". Maybe the commission are all suffering from ergot poisoning because no sane government would do this

It's astonishing. For years the UK have been warned about a border, and the EU effectively enforce one because they messed up their own vaccine programme

When Owen Jones is criticising the EU, then you know they have gone very badly wrong.

This is what Brexiters always saw - this is what the EU really are and how they always regarded the UK. They were wearing the abuser's mask all along, every once in a while it slipped...now they've taken it right off and gone to war. It's ugly thank goodness they're so fucking inept theyll lose again.

Very worrying

Yeah it turns out a hard border was fine after all when it suited them.

And yes it was all fine until we talked back.

Honestly, I never expected this level of hostility. I thought it could be just business and going our separate ways.

They appear to have lost their minds. I can’t imagine Joe Biden is going to be very impressed either. Interesting to see how/if the US weighs in. Really quite worrying at an already stressful and anxious time. I voted to remain but I’m really shocked at the way the EU has behaved over this.

This behaviour scares me a lot more than covid ever has. Starting to feel a bit bad for all the times I slated people who voted leave. DH voted leave with the belief that the EU is run by a bunch of corrupt bullies. It’s difficult to argue against that with this kind of behaviour.

And yes it was all fine until we talked back.

The thing is we’ve not even really talked back. Johnson has been almost silent on the subject. This is all between the EU and AZ.

There are suggestions the Irish Government weren't told in advance either.

It's fair to say #rejoinEU is dead in the water for many many years

Absolutely shocking behaviour by the EU. I don't fully understand the vaccine issue with the EU and astrazeneca but this just seems complete overkill

DH voted leave with the belief that the EU is run by a bunch of corrupt bullies. It’s difficult to argue against that with this kind of behaviour.

I voted leave for pretty much the same reasons. Up until this week I had deeply regretted it but the way things are going I'm thinking I'm glad we're out.

Government have been very quiet and I think that’s been good not to inflame but now we now it just feels even more like bullying 😦

@JaneNorman

This behaviour scares me a lot more than covid ever has. Starting to feel a bit bad for all the times I slated people who voted leave. DH voted leave with the belief that the EU is run by a bunch of corrupt bullies. It’s difficult to argue against that with this kind of behaviour.

My reason for voting for remain was always because you are better in pushing for reform than you are out of it. Now we’re not there anymore Germany has got what it’s always wanted, complete control of Europe.

I voted remain too but have a lot more sympathy for my in laws perspective now. Maybe this vaccine debacle with be the one thing that helps to bring the country together.

It will be interesting to see how the UK government responds. It could so easily escalate if they decide to back the DUP and fully invoke article 16 to allow frictionless trade between NI and the rest of the UK.

@JaneNorman

And yes it was all fine until we talked back.

The thing is we’ve not even really talked back. Johnson has been almost silent on the subject. This is all between the EU and AZ.

It's the equivalent of the abusive ex having a life stress and rather than reflecting on their role and trying to do better, they revert to scapegoating and further abusing and threatening the ex wife.

As the saying goes, "when someone tells you who they are, believe them".

This is who the EU really are.

Does this signal the beginning of the end for the EU? I think it does.

Good grief!

I am also feeling shocked. I voted remain. But I am starting to feel sorry for those left in the EU. I hope our government retains its dignity and doesn’t retaliate and acts the adult.

@Biscoffaddict Yeah such control of the EU that Germany have had to do their own private side order of vaccines!

Perhaps they can buy some of our new vaccine instead ;) idiots.