The Democratic Unionist Party has no legal power to hold up the agreement, which would simplify post-Brexit trade rules. But a rejection could sabotage efforts to restart Northern Ireland’s government.
In addition to removing an obstacle to London-Brussels relations, the Northern Ireland trade deal could remove Brexit from the center of British politics after seven divisive years.
A dispute left over from the Britain-European Union split has chilled relations, paralyzed Northern Ireland’s government, risked a trade war and even caused friction between London and Washington.