New Jersey Assembly Bill AR66

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Urges Congress to oppose trade agreements with United Kingdom unless Good Friday Agreement and other Irish peace elements are preserved.

Impact

If adopted, AR66 would signal to Congress and federal officials New Jersey's position on the significance of the Good Friday Agreement in the context of U.S.-U.K. trade negotiations. This could influence the legislative landscape surrounding trade deals, emphasizing the importance of foreign policy to the pledges made in international agreements. It reflects a growing concern in the U.S. about ensuring that peace and stability in Northern Ireland are not compromised due to geopolitical changes stemming from Brexit.

Summary

Assembly Resolution No.66 (AR66) urges Congress to oppose any trade agreements with the United Kingdom, unless the Good Friday Agreement and other facets of the Irish peace process are upheld. The resolution highlights the historical context of the Good Friday Agreement, which was created to govern Northern Ireland's peace following a long-standing conflict characterized by a deep divide between Unionists and Nationalists. It asserts that any alterations to existing agreements should not jeopardize the stability provided by this agreement and should maintain the integrity of the invisible border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Contention

There is evident contention surrounding the United Kingdom's attempts to modify aspects of the Brexit treaty that relate to the Northern Ireland protocol. The resolution underscores fears that such modifications could undermine the Good Friday Agreement, with significant repercussions for peace in the region. Notably, U.S. Congressional leaders have warned that failing to preserve the agreement could diminish the support for any future U.S.-U.K. trade deals, thereby linking the success of these negotiations to the adherence to peace commitments made in the late 1990s.