UK Brexit boost as ECJ rules trade deals do not require extra ratification

Surprise ruling confirms EU officials have key negotiation powers in trade talks with approval of state parliaments not needed

The European court of justice has raised a ray of hope for British trade negotiators with a surprise ruling that will make it harder for national parliaments to block key components of any future post-Brexit deal between the EU and the UK.

In a long-awaited test case that had been expected to complicate the Brexit process, the court instead ruled that EU officials had exclusive powers to negotiate international trade deals without ratification by national and regional parliaments.

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