Date of Award
Spring 5-6-2023
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Department/Major
Economics
First Advisor
Professor David Carr
Second Advisor
Dr. Kathryn Birkeland
Third Advisor
Professor Tyler Custis
Keywords
Brexit, Northern Ireland Protocol, conflict, European Union, United Kingdom, economics, international trade
Subject Categories
International Economics
Abstract
This research paper examines the current conflict between the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol negotiation. This negotiation was created following the UK’s decision to leave the EU in an event known as Brexit. The conflict has occurred because many Brexiteers in the UK want to override parts of the Protocol since it is a burden for the UK’s economy. The EU, however, has threatened to retaliate since this would be breaking the agreement between these two parties. Furthermore, this paper attempts to evaluate the conflict as a whole, examining all perspectives of the conflict as well as looking at the history leading up to the issue. After examining this ongoing dispute, this paper analyzes the short-term and long-term economic effects that will occur if the United Kingdom decides to override parts of the Protocol. This includes an analysis of the gains of trade as well as the effects of tariffs and quotas on trade. Given this analysis of overriding the Protocol, it is recommended that the UK should not override parts of the Protocol but instead should seek to compromise with the EU in a way that would best benefit both the UK and the EU’s economies.
KEYWORDS: Brexit, Northern Ireland Protocol, conflict, European Union, United Kingdom, economics, international trade
Recommended Citation
Brink, Joshua P., "An Economic Analysis of the United Kingdom Given the Possible Effects of Overthrowing the Northern Ireland Protocol" (2023). Honors Thesis. 283.
https://red.library.usd.edu/honors-thesis/283