By Hopes of Brexit trade deal fading as Prime Minister prepares for ‘strong possibility’ of no deal
The likelihood of a no-deal outcome from Brexit trade talks is higher than the chances of a deal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is reported to have told EU leaders.
On the second day of a Brussels summit on Friday, it emerged that Ms von der Leyen spoke for less than 10 minutes about the deadlocked trade negotiations as she addressed the bloc’s leaders.
One EU official revealed Ms von der Leyen informed leaders about the difficulty of the situation and the main obstacles that remain.
The official, speaking on Ms von der Leyen’s message at the summit, said:
“The probability of a no deal is higher than of a deal”.
“It will be seen by Sunday whether a deal is possible”.
The comments reflect Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s stance, after he briefed his top ministers on Thursday and ordered them to “get on and make those preparations” for a no-deal outcome.
The Prime Minister said the current offer was unacceptable because the UK could not be treated like the EU’s twin.
He added:
“It was put to me that this was kind of a bit like twins, and the UK is one twin the EU is another, and if the EU decides to have a haircut then the UK is going to have a haircut or else face punishment”.
“Or if the EU decides to buy an expensive handbag then the UK has to buy an expensive handbag too or else face tariffs”.
“Clearly that is not the sensible way to proceed and it’s unlike any other free trade deal”.
“It’s a way of keeping the UK kind of locked in the EU’s regulatory orbit”.
Photo: PA.
