By Hopes of Brexit deal “receding” following latest talks
With less than a month until the Brexit transition period ends on December 31, crucial talks are ongoing in a bid to secure a trade deal.
Hopes of a deal appear to be fading after Thursday’s negotiations in London between the teams led by Lord Frost and the EU’s Michel Barnier.
But the latest rounds of talks “did not go well” after Brussels shifted its position to appease France over rules on state aid subsidies and standards, pushing the UK into a position they cannot accept.
Both sides are urgently seeking compromises in key areas, including fishing rights and competition rules, however, neither side have yet been able to agree on these issues.
Sources suggested Brussels had hardened its stance on how common rules and regulations should be enforced to ensure a ‘”level playing field” with time running out.
During negotiations, France has been the most vocal in its concerns about the final concessions, with the likes of Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark also raising worries.
An EU source claimed talks had become “extremely sluggish” confirming tensions over enforcing rules and regulations were rising.
A French government official said:
“We’re not pushing for a no deal…. But we’re pushing for reaching an ambitious agreement”.
Britain and the EU will resume talks on a post-Brexit trade deal today (Friday) despite a Senior UK Government source saying the prospect of a breakthrough is:
“Still possible in the next few days, but that prospect is receding”.
The UK and EU have been locked in talks since March to determine their future relations once the UK’s Brexit transition period ends in less than four weeks’ time.
