EU ‘want us tied to single market for THREE years’

THE European Union may ask Britain to remain locked inside its single market and customs union until 2023.

EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen yesterday insisted it would be ‘reasonable’ to ask for an extension of the Brexit ‘transition’ period for up to two years.

It would mean the UK continuing to accept freedom of movement and paying membership fees.

Mrs von der Leyen, who took over from Jean- Claude Juncker this month, said she was ‘very worried’ about Boris Johnson’s timeframe of striking a trade deal by the end of 2020. Speaking to a French newspaper, she said: ‘We should seriously ask ourselves if all these negotiations are possible in such a short time.

‘I think it would be reasonable to take stock mid-year [2020] and, if necessary, agree on an extension.’

As it stands the UK will remain in the EU’s single market and customs union until the end of next year, giving an 11-month window to strike a trade deal after Britain leaves the bloc’s institutions on January 31.

But according to the terms of the withdrawal agreement, this window – also known as the ‘transition’ or ‘implementation’ period – can be extended until the end of 2022.

Either side can request an extension, but the UK and EU must finalise any agreement on whether to do so by July 1 next year.

Mr Johnson has ruled out any more delays, which would be deeply unpopular with hardline Brexiteers, and has even begun the process of enshrining this in law.