SEAL TRADE DEAL BRITAIN AND E.U. CEMENTING SPLIT, › images › 2020 › 12 › 25 › nytfrontpage...
1
U(D54G1D)y+,!$!,!?!z On a journey across America, the photographer Ruth Fremson was greeted by sights of the season. People found ways to brighten even the darkest times. PAGES A18-19 HOLIDAY ROAD TRIP PHOENIX SNOWVILLE, UTAH NASHVILLE MEMPHIS BETHLEHEM, PA. SANTA CLAUS, ARIZ. LONDON — Britain and the Eu- ropean Union struck a hard- fought trade agreement on Thurs- day, settling a bitter divorce that stretched over more than four years and setting the terms for a post-Brexit future as close neigh- bors living apart. The deal, which needs to be rati- fied by the British and European Parliaments, came together in Brussels after 11 months of grind- ing negotiations, culminating in a last-minute haggle over fishing rights that stretched into Christ- mas Eve, just a week before a year-end deadline. Despite running to thousands of pages, the agreement leaves criti- cal parts of the relationship to be worked out later. And it will not prevent some disruption to trade across the English Channel, since British exports will still be sub- jected to some border checks, add- ing costs for companies and caus- ing potential delays at ports. But it is nonetheless a landmark in the long-running Brexit drama — the bookend to Britain’s depar- ture from the European Union in January and a blueprint for how the two sides will coexist after severing deep ties built over a 47- year relationship. A failure to come to terms could have left Brit- ain and the European Union in a bitter standoff, poisoning rela- tions for years to come. “It was a long and winding road, but we have got a good deal to show for it,” said Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the Euro- pean Commission, the bloc’s exec- utive arm. “This moment marks the end of a long voyage.” Brexit began as a project to as- sert British sovereignty and throw off the constraints of Brus- sels. Fueled by anti-immigrant fervor and a belief that an inde- pendent Britain would fare better in a changing world, it became at times an insoluble riddle — how to unravel more than 40 years of ties without inviting chaos. As the debate played out, the world shifted around Britain. Ris- ing populists like President Trump erected barriers to trade; the pandemic put globalism on the defensive; and the victory of Jo- seph R. Biden Jr. in the American presidential election called the go- it-alone ethos of Brexit into ques- tion. CEMENTING SPLIT, BRITAIN AND E.U. SEAL TRADE DEAL Landmark Accord After Months of Talks Leaves Details to Be Worked Out By MARK LANDLER and STEPHEN CASTLE Brexit has been the subject of fierce debate for several years. ANDREW TESTA FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES Continued on Page A12 Philip Esformes acquired a $1.6 million Ferrari and a $360,000 Swiss watch and traveled around the United States on a private jet, a spending spree fueled by the spoils from what federal prosecu- tors called one of the largest Medi- care fraud cases in history. “Philip Esformes is a man driv- en by almost unbounded greed,” Denise M. Stemen, an agent in the F.B.I.’s Miami field office, said last year after Mr. Esformes, 52, a nursing home operator, was sen- tenced to 20 years in prison for the two-decade scheme that involved an estimated $1.3 billion worth of fraudulent claims. That prison term ended sud- denly this week, when President Trump commuted what remained of Mr. Esformes’s sentence. His rapid path to clemency is a case study in how criminals with the right connections and re- sources have been able to cut through normal channels and gain the opportunity to make their case straight to the Trump White House. For Mr. Esformes, that involved support from a Jewish humanitar- ian nonprofit group that advances prisoners’ rights and worked with the White House on criminal jus- Clemency Case Shows the Perks Of Trump Ties This article is by Kenneth P. Vogel, Eric Lipton and Jesse Drucker. Continued on Page A15 China’s internet giants came to dominate segments of the world’s No. 2 economy because Beijing’s authoritarian government largely looked the other way while they grew and grew. Now the companies have the regulators’ full attention. The country’s market watchdog said on Thursday that it had opened an investigation into whether the e-commerce group Alibaba had engaged in monopo- listic practices, such as restricting vendors from selling merchandise on other platforms. Separately on Thursday, four Chinese financial regulatory agencies, including the central bank, said they would meet soon with Ant Group, Al- ibaba’s finance-focused sister company, to discuss new supervi- sion. The stepped-up scrutiny of Al- ibaba and Ant — the pillars of the business empire of Jack Ma, Chi- na’s most famous tycoon — co- incides with efforts by the United States and the European Union to curb the power of Western inter- net powerhouses such as Google and Facebook. Frustration has been building for years in Wash- ington and Brussels over the out- size influence that a few tech com- panies wield over commerce, Beijing Reins In Tech Behemoths It Let Run Free By RAYMOND ZHONG Continued on Page A13 It was time, perhaps, to go. Henry Yao, the proprietor and sole employee of a tiny military surplus store on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, was considering the black hole of the summer gap- ing before him. Whatever magic a charismatic salesman could con- jure had little use without tourists or foot traffic. Mr. Yao, 57, had held out for what he believed would surely be a reinvigorated city, continuing to pay the $6,500 monthly rent with a loan from an understanding sister. The uncertainty created by the pandemic tormented him. Trust in hope? Perish because of it? Sales at his shop, Army & Navy Bags, had never been robust, even before East Houston Street emp- tied. He had focused less on mar- gins and more on simplicity: sturdy bags, upbeat service. He did not have a long legacy like the famed smoked fish shop Russ & Daughters next door. He had arrived from China as a teen- ager and held myriad jobs around the city — ironing pants at a sewing factory, waiting tables, de- livering belt buckles — before working at the storefront and fi- nally taking it over. For 13 years, he had been a be- loved figure, another small busi- ness owner folded into the local framework. He liked the straight talk of New Yorkers and loved anything baseball. Especially the Mets. Maybe you, too, have a Mr. Yao. A familiar fixture at a restaurant Kindness Is Paid Back When He Needed It Most By CORINA KNOLL Henry Yao, right, has been a fixture at his shop, Army & Navy Bags, in Manhattan for over 13 years. KIRSTEN LUCE FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES New Yorkers Rescue Shopkeeper Through Social Media Continued on Page A9 The statement announcing the latest raft of presidential pardons was officially attributed to the White House press secretary, but it bristled with President Trump’s own deep- seated grievances. His friend and longtime adviser Roger J. Stone Jr., the statement said, “was treated very unfairly” by prosecutors. His former cam- paign chairman Paul Manafort “is one of the most prominent victims of what has been re- vealed to be perhaps the greatest witch hunt in American history.” In complaining about “pros- ecutorial misconduct,” though, Mr. Trump seemed to be talking as much about himself as his allies. In the flurry of 49 pardons and commutations issued this week, he granted clemency to a host of convicted liars, crooked politicians and child-killing war criminals, but the through line was a president who considers himself a victim of law enforce- ment and was using his power to strike back. Never mind that Mr. Trump presents himself as a champion of “law and order.” He has been at war with the criminal justice system, at least when it has Pardons Offer A Final Grasp At Total Power By PETER BAKER Continued on Page A15 NEWS ANALYSIS NEWS ANALYSIS The idea of an agile “Global Britain” was an effective sales pitch at the time of the 2016 vote. But much has changed. PAGE A12 VIEW FROM EUROPE The pact preserves principles like the single market and lets the E.U. look to its future without Britain. PAGE A13 Brad Parscale, whose social media savvy helped deliver a Trump victory in 2016, wanted out of politics after losing his job as campaign manager. Now he is starting a political data firm. PAGE A14 NATIONAL A14-19, 22 On the Political Trail, Again Goodwood, the Canadian hamlet that was the backdrop for the hit television series, has become a pilgrimage site for the show’s fans. Residents are dis- mayed and delighted. PAGE A10 INTERNATIONAL A10-13 The Real ‘Schitt’s Creek’ The president-elect said of Black sup- porters: “You’ve always had my back, and I’ll have yours.” Many are waiting to see what he does in office. PAGE A16 Black Voters Watching Biden Amid the monumental sorrow of the coronavirus pandemic, our reporters around the world have uncovered tales of resilience and hope, of charity, inge- nuity and joy. Uplift, Part 2. PAGE A11 A Flying Elephant Dr. Susan Moore said a white doctor downplayed her complaints. She died of Covid-19 a few weeks later. PAGE A4 A Black Doctor’s Bias Claim David Brooks PAGE A20 EDITORIAL, OP-ED A20-21 A preview of the Christmas slate, fea- turing LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic. PAGE B8 SPORTSFRIDAY B8-10 N.B.A.’s Holiday Extravaganza House Democrats failed to more than triple the size of relief checks after President Trump’s last-minute request of $2,000 payments. PAGE A8 TRACKING AN OUTBREAK A4-9 Relief Checks Remain in Limbo Diana Prince, a.k.a. Wonder Woman, seems powerless to save her new film, Manohla Dargis writes. PAGE C2 A Not-So-Wonderful Sequel Some small businesses across America were surprised — and conflicted — about their success. PAGE B6 Thriving During the Pandemic Joumana Khatib lists 13 books that are coming out soon, including a collection of essays by Joan Didion. PAGE C8 WEEKEND ARTS C1-10 January’s Reading List Converting cars to make room for sleeping takes commitment — and a seriously concise kitchen plan. PAGE B4 BUSINESS B1-7 Tiny Homes on the Road TODAY IS CHRISTMAS! REMEMBER THE NEEDIEST! Late Edition VOL. CLXX .... No. 58,918 © 2020 The New York Times Company NEW YORK, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020 Today, rain ending, partial clearing, windy, high 58, falling. Tonight, partly cloudy, colder, low 25. Tomor- row, mostly sunny, colder, high 32. Weather map appears on Page A22. $3.00
Transcript of SEAL TRADE DEAL BRITAIN AND E.U. CEMENTING SPLIT, › images › 2020 › 12 › 25 › nytfrontpage...
-
C M Y K Nxxx,2020-12-25,A,001,Bs-4C,E1
U(D54G1D)y+,!$!,!?!z
On a journey across America, the photographer Ruth Fremson was greeted by sightsof the season. People found ways to brighten even the darkest times. PAGES A18-19
HOLIDAY ROAD TRIP
PHOENIX
SNOWVILLE, UTAH NASHVILLE
MEMPHIS BETHLEHEM, PA.
SANTA CLAUS, ARIZ. LONDON — Britain and the Eu-ropean Union struck a hard-fought trade agreement on Thurs-day, settling a bitter divorce thatstretched over more than fouryears and setting the terms for apost-Brexit future as close neigh-bors living apart.
The deal, which needs to be rati-fied by the British and EuropeanParliaments, came together inBrussels after 11 months of grind-ing negotiations, culminating in alast-minute haggle over fishingrights that stretched into Christ-mas Eve, just a week before ayear-end deadline.
Despite running to thousands ofpages, the agreement leaves criti-cal parts of the relationship to beworked out later. And it will notprevent some disruption to tradeacross the English Channel, sinceBritish exports will still be sub-jected to some border checks, add-ing costs for companies and caus-ing potential delays at ports.
But it is nonetheless a landmarkin the long-running Brexit drama— the bookend to Britain’s depar-ture from the European Union inJanuary and a blueprint for howthe two sides will coexist aftersevering deep ties built over a 47-year relationship. A failure tocome to terms could have left Brit-ain and the European Union in abitter standoff, poisoning rela-tions for years to come.
“It was a long and winding road,but we have got a good deal toshow for it,” said Ursula von derLeyen, the president of the Euro-pean Commission, the bloc’s exec-utive arm. “This moment marks
the end of a long voyage.”Brexit began as a project to as-
sert British sovereignty andthrow off the constraints of Brus-sels. Fueled by anti-immigrantfervor and a belief that an inde-pendent Britain would fare better
in a changing world, it became attimes an insoluble riddle — how tounravel more than 40 years of tieswithout inviting chaos.
As the debate played out, theworld shifted around Britain. Ris-ing populists like PresidentTrump erected barriers to trade;the pandemic put globalism on thedefensive; and the victory of Jo-seph R. Biden Jr. in the Americanpresidential election called the go-it-alone ethos of Brexit into ques-tion.
CEMENTING SPLIT,BRITAIN AND E.U.
SEAL TRADE DEALLandmark Accord After Months of Talks
Leaves Details to Be Worked Out
By MARK LANDLER and STEPHEN CASTLE
Brexit has been the subject offierce debate for several years.
ANDREW TESTA FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES
Continued on Page A12
Philip Esformes acquired a $1.6million Ferrari and a $360,000Swiss watch and traveled aroundthe United States on a private jet,a spending spree fueled by thespoils from what federal prosecu-tors called one of the largest Medi-care fraud cases in history.
“Philip Esformes is a man driv-en by almost unbounded greed,”Denise M. Stemen, an agent in theF.B.I.’s Miami field office, said lastyear after Mr. Esformes, 52, anursing home operator, was sen-tenced to 20 years in prison for thetwo-decade scheme that involvedan estimated $1.3 billion worth offraudulent claims.
That prison term ended sud-denly this week, when PresidentTrump commuted what remainedof Mr. Esformes’s sentence.
His rapid path to clemency is acase study in how criminals withthe right connections and re-sources have been able to cutthrough normal channels andgain the opportunity to make theircase straight to the Trump WhiteHouse.
For Mr. Esformes, that involvedsupport from a Jewish humanitar-ian nonprofit group that advancesprisoners’ rights and worked withthe White House on criminal jus-
Clemency CaseShows the Perks
Of Trump TiesThis article is by Kenneth P. Vogel,
Eric Lipton and Jesse Drucker.
Continued on Page A15
China’s internet giants came todominate segments of the world’sNo. 2 economy because Beijing’sauthoritarian government largelylooked the other way while theygrew and grew.
Now the companies have theregulators’ full attention.
The country’s market watchdogsaid on Thursday that it hadopened an investigation intowhether the e-commerce groupAlibaba had engaged in monopo-listic practices, such as restrictingvendors from selling merchandiseon other platforms. Separately onThursday, four Chinese financialregulatory agencies, including thecentral bank, said they wouldmeet soon with Ant Group, Al-ibaba’s finance-focused sistercompany, to discuss new supervi-sion.
The stepped-up scrutiny of Al-ibaba and Ant — the pillars of thebusiness empire of Jack Ma, Chi-na’s most famous tycoon — co-incides with efforts by the UnitedStates and the European Union tocurb the power of Western inter-net powerhouses such as Googleand Facebook. Frustration hasbeen building for years in Wash-ington and Brussels over the out-size influence that a few tech com-panies wield over commerce,
Beijing Reins InTech BehemothsIt Let Run Free
By RAYMOND ZHONG
Continued on Page A13
It was time, perhaps, to go.Henry Yao, the proprietor and
sole employee of a tiny militarysurplus store on Manhattan’sLower East Side, was consideringthe black hole of the summer gap-ing before him. Whatever magic acharismatic salesman could con-jure had little use without touristsor foot traffic.
Mr. Yao, 57, had held out forwhat he believed would surely bea reinvigorated city, continuing topay the $6,500 monthly rent with aloan from an understanding sister.The uncertainty created by the
pandemic tormented him. Trust inhope? Perish because of it?
Sales at his shop, Army & NavyBags, had never been robust, evenbefore East Houston Street emp-tied. He had focused less on mar-gins and more on simplicity:sturdy bags, upbeat service.
He did not have a long legacylike the famed smoked fish shop
Russ & Daughters next door. Hehad arrived from China as a teen-ager and held myriad jobs aroundthe city — ironing pants at asewing factory, waiting tables, de-livering belt buckles — beforeworking at the storefront and fi-nally taking it over.
For 13 years, he had been a be-loved figure, another small busi-ness owner folded into the localframework. He liked the straighttalk of New Yorkers and lovedanything baseball. Especially theMets.
Maybe you, too, have a Mr. Yao.A familiar fixture at a restaurant
Kindness Is Paid Back When He Needed It MostBy CORINA KNOLL
Henry Yao, right, has been a fixture at his shop, Army & Navy Bags, in Manhattan for over 13 years.KIRSTEN LUCE FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES
New Yorkers RescueShopkeeper Through
Social Media
Continued on Page A9
The statement announcing thelatest raft of presidential pardonswas officially attributed to theWhite House press secretary, butit bristled with President
Trump’s own deep-seated grievances.
His friend andlongtime adviser
Roger J. Stone Jr., the statementsaid, “was treated very unfairly”by prosecutors. His former cam-paign chairman Paul Manafort“is one of the most prominentvictims of what has been re-vealed to be perhaps the greatestwitch hunt in American history.”
In complaining about “pros-ecutorial misconduct,” though,Mr. Trump seemed to be talkingas much about himself as hisallies. In the flurry of 49 pardonsand commutations issued thisweek, he granted clemency to ahost of convicted liars, crookedpoliticians and child-killing warcriminals, but the through linewas a president who considershimself a victim of law enforce-ment and was using his power tostrike back.
Never mind that Mr. Trumppresents himself as a championof “law and order.” He has beenat war with the criminal justicesystem, at least when it has
Pardons OfferA Final GraspAt Total Power
By PETER BAKER
Continued on Page A15
NEWSANALYSIS
NEWS ANALYSIS The idea of an agile “Global Britain” was an effectivesales pitch at the time of the 2016 vote. But much has changed. PAGE A12
VIEW FROM EUROPE The pact preserves principles like the singlemarket and lets the E.U. look to its future without Britain. PAGE A13
Brad Parscale, whose social mediasavvy helped deliver a Trump victory in2016, wanted out of politics after losinghis job as campaign manager. Now he isstarting a political data firm. PAGE A14
NATIONAL A14-19, 22
On the Political Trail, AgainGoodwood, the Canadian hamlet thatwas the backdrop for the hit televisionseries, has become a pilgrimage site forthe show’s fans. Residents are dis-mayed and delighted. PAGE A10
INTERNATIONAL A10-13
The Real ‘Schitt’s Creek’
The president-elect said of Black sup-porters: “You’ve always had my back,and I’ll have yours.” Many are waitingto see what he does in office. PAGE A16
Black Voters Watching BidenAmid the monumental sorrow of thecoronavirus pandemic, our reportersaround the world have uncovered talesof resilience and hope, of charity, inge-nuity and joy. Uplift, Part 2. PAGE A11
A Flying ElephantDr. Susan Moore said a white doctordownplayed her complaints. She died ofCovid-19 a few weeks later. PAGE A4
A Black Doctor’s Bias Claim
David Brooks PAGE A20EDITORIAL, OP-ED A20-21A preview of the Christmas slate, fea-
turing LeBron James, Stephen Curryand Luka Doncic. PAGE B8
SPORTSFRIDAY B8-10
N.B.A.’s Holiday Extravaganza
House Democrats failed to more thantriple the size of relief checks afterPresident Trump’s last-minute requestof $2,000 payments. PAGE A8
TRACKING AN OUTBREAK A4-9
Relief Checks Remain in Limbo
Diana Prince, a.k.a. Wonder Woman,seems powerless to save her new film,Manohla Dargis writes. PAGE C2
A Not-So-Wonderful SequelSome small businesses across Americawere surprised — and conflicted —about their success. PAGE B6
Thriving During the Pandemic
Joumana Khatib lists 13 books that arecoming out soon, including a collectionof essays by Joan Didion. PAGE C8
WEEKEND ARTS C1-10
January’s Reading ListConverting cars to make room forsleeping takes commitment — and aseriously concise kitchen plan. PAGE B4
BUSINESS B1-7
Tiny Homes on the Road
TODAY IS CHRISTMAS! REMEMBER THE NEEDIEST!
Late Edition
VOL. CLXX . . . . No. 58,918 © 2020 The New York Times Company NEW YORK, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020
Today, rain ending, partial clearing,windy, high 58, falling. Tonight,partly cloudy, colder, low 25. Tomor-row, mostly sunny, colder, high 32.Weather map appears on Page A22.
$3.00
