Ireland Dep PM: 'Countries Scratching Their Heads' On Signing Treaties w/ UK

Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister (Tanaiste) speaking to RTE's Morning Ireland has said that countries around the world are "scratching their heads" and wondering whether they can make trade deals or sign international treaties with the UK following the admission by a gov't minister in the House of Commons yesterday that the gov'ts UK Internal Market Bill will violate international law.

• The Bill will be presented to the Commons today and is expected to unilaterally make changes to the Northern Ireland protocol in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement in order to avoid customs checks between NI and GB in the case the UK exits the transition period with no deal.
• The backlash against the UK gov't both domestically and abroad has been strong, with many expressing disbelief that a country such as the UK would violate international law, with all the associated reputational damage, for perceived domestic political gain.
• Media have reported that some senior Cabinet ministers such as Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove have reservations about the gov'ts plan.