UK can’t survive No Deal, say French

A FRENCH official yesterday warned that the UK would not able to ‘withstand the shock’ of No Deal.

Junior European Affairs minister Amelie de Montchalin said she could not rule out the possibility that trade talks will end in failure.

She told Europe 1 radio: ‘Those who need a deal the most are the British. They cannot withstand a second shock after the coronavirus epidemic.’

Her remarks came as European Council president Charles Michel and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen yesterday held a video conto ference with the 27 EU leaders to brief them on the latest negotiations.

Britain left the European Union on January 31 but talks on a deal on the future relationship with Brussels have so far made little progress.

The transition period during which the UK remains in the customs union and single market expires at the end of this year and Boris Johnson has ruled out extending it.

Mr Michel said the EU was committed reaching an agreement ‘but not at any cost’. The former Belgian prime minister declared there was a ‘need to intensify the negotiations’.

Mrs von der Leyen said the leaders agreed to make ‘all possible efforts to come to an agreement’ but warned the two sides still remained far apart.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted negotiations must be accelerated and a deal reached by this autumn.

A French official said leaders agreed they must stick to their stance on fisheries and the level playing field provisions aimed at ensuring fair competition.