The post-Brexit negotiations and the level playing field criterion

On 31 January 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union and phase two of Brexit, which will be dedicated to the definition of the future relations between the Parties, officially started. This contribution presents the main features of the future trade relations between the UK and the EU, as they emerge from phase one of Brexit. Then, it analyzes two paradigms (market integration and trade liberalization) and four relevant models, which currently link the EU to some of its most important commercial partners, namely Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and Canada. Finally, it focuses on the “level playing field” criterion, which relates to the standards to be applied by the Parties in their future relations with regard to competition policy and State aids, environmental protection, social and labor standards, fiscal policies.