GBP/AUD is trading in a sideways trend after concluding one of the most bearish weeks in years. Currently, one British pound buys 1.8838 Australian dollars, up 0.01% as of 4:49 AM UTC. Last week, the pair lost over 2.80% on increasing fears of a no-deal Brexit after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced he would rule out any attempt to extend the transition period beyond December 2020. The price is now fluctuating near the lowest level since mid-November.
On Friday, the PM won the parliament’s approval for this Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB). This is the first chapter of the Brexit journey, which should go smoothly given the consolidated position of Johnson’s Conservative Party. The members of parliament (MPs) voted 358 to 234 to pass the second reading of the WAB.
The Brexit deadline is set for January 31, 2020, but the trade deal has another target date set for the end of next year. Johnson is confident that the trade agreement with European leaders should be reached within 11 months left until the second deadline. Otherwise, a no-deal Brexit is looming. The sterling is under pressure because markets don’t expect the second target date to be reasonable. Many European officials have already declared that more time is needed for the transition period.
Johnson told MPs before the vote:
“This is the time when we move on and discard the old labels of ‘leave’ and ‘remain’ … now is the time to act together as one reinvigorated nation, one United Kingdom.”
The second ratification of the bill includes Johnson’s amendment that makes it illegal to extend the trade negotiations beyond December of next year.
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said that Johnson’s move was “terrible” and his party would not back the bill. He commented:
“This deal does not bring certainty for communities or for business or for the workforce, in fact it does the opposite and hardwires the risk of a no-deal Brexit next year.”
Elsewhere, the Aussie is backed by positive news about the trade relationship between the US and China. On Friday, US President Donald Trump said he had discussed with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.