By Kate Holton

LONDON (Reuters – Britain seeks to ease tensions between its European Union allies and reach a compromise on a post Brexit Northern Ireland trade dispute, according to the Times newspaper.

After Britain threatened to impose emergency unilateral clauses in the Brexit agreement, David Frost, Britain’s Brexit Minister will meet Maros Sefcovic from the European Commission in London Friday to discuss trade rules.

This threat is known as “triggering Article 16”. Ireland has warned that the 2020 free trade agreement could be canceled in response to this warning, and other EU countries have agreed to maintain a strong relationship with London in case of a breakup.

The Times stated that Frost was going to signal to Sefcovic on Friday that London was willing to renew efforts for a deal, and to enter into intensive negotiations over the coming weeks.

Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has come under fire for a growing sleaze scandal within his party. His political enemies have asked why London would want to pursue trade negotiations with its neighboring countries at a moment when there is increasing inflation and supply chain friction.

According to a British source, “Triggering Article 16 doesn’t solve our problems,” The Times reported. “Even if it were possible, ultimately we would have to return to the table.”

Britain delayed the implementation of border controls that would have prevented the creation of a hard border between Britain and EU-member Ireland after it left the EU in the last year. London claims that the checks are unreasonable and pose a threat to Northern Ireland’s 1998 ceasefire.

To protect the EU’s single market, which is home to 450 million consumers, tighter control is required.

Frost earlier this week stated that although progress was made in recent talks, there is still a large gap. Frost stated that while he is not willing to stop talks for a resolution, Article 16 could be the only way.

Thomas Byrne from Ireland, the minister for European Affairs, said that he is pleased talks are taking place. He also stated that he hopes both sides can remain supportive, as threats will not work.

He said that “a tough approach, or a tough guy” approach in Northern Ireland is counterproductive. This was after two armed men had hijacked buses and set them on fire in recent days.

The Times stated that, although Britain was not happy with the Commission’s plans to lessen checks on goods entering Britain from Northern Ireland, the proposals could still form part of an agreement.