On Tuesday, Phil Hogan was appointed to lead the European Union’s international trade affairs from November. This is a rather clear message to London as the sides prepare to negotiate a new deal after Brexit.
In announcing the appointment, the next head of the EU’s executive, Ursula von der Leyen, said Hogan was “an excellent and fair negotiator” and has done a “brilliant” job heading agriculture affairs in the outgoing Commission.
“It is very important to have together a very good free trade agreement,” von der Leyen told a news conference to unveil her team for the next Commission, which must still be approved by the European Parliament.
Source: reuters.com