After France’s Europe Minister became the latest politician to threaten a vaccine export ban on the UK, Boris Johnson used today’s press conference to try to diffuse the row ahead of Thursday’s summit of EU leaders. When asked in the Q&A session whether such an export ban could derail the UK roadmap for ending lockdown and if the UK would retaliate, the Prime Minister stressed the need for cooperation from all sides.
No. 10 fear retaliatory measures in the event of a vaccine export ban could make the situation go from bad to worse
Johnson said the UK would continue to work with European partners to deliver the vaccine rollout – suggesting that the pandemic wouldn’t be over for anyone until it was over for everyone. As for whether the UK could retaliate in the face of an export ban by introducing a UK export ban on vaccine ingredients being sent to the continent, Johnson appeared to rule this option out.
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