UK’s Sunak tries to win over skeptics to his Brexit deal

By JILL LAWLESS
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has visited Belfast to sell his landmark agreement with the European Union to its toughest audience. That is unionist politicians who fear post-Brexit trade rules are weakening Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom. The U.K. and the EU struck a deal on Monday to resolve a dispute over Northern Ireland trade that has vexed relations since the U.K. left the bloc in 2020. The agreement will ease customs checks and other hurdles for goods moving to Northern Ireland from the rest of the U.K. Northern Ireland’s British unionist politicians have yet to give it their blessing. Their support is key to restoring Northern Ireland’s semi-autonomous government, currently in limbo amid the trade feud.