FILE PHOTO: Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly looks on as he attends a sidebar meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2022. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado/Pool/File Photo
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's foreign minister James Cleverly said there are weeks to find a negotiated settlement on the Northern Ireland protocol if it is to be solved before a contentious bill on the trade issue between the European Union and Britain becomes law.
The stand-off over the Northern Ireland protocol is by far the biggest of several issues straining relations between the EU and Britain, and could lead to a trade war if London presses ahead with legislation effectively tearing up some of the rules.
"If you’re the Commission and want to get a negotiated settlement coming into force, we know that we are talking about some weeks rather than many months," Cleverly said.
(Reporting by Alistair Smout)
