Barnier demands more ‘respect’ as Brexit talks break down a day early

After first round of face-to-face meetings since March...

MICHEL Barnier demanded Britain show more ‘respect’ for Brussels’ red lines yesterday after deadlocked trade talks broke up a day early.

The EU’s chief negotiator and the UK’s envoy said ‘significant differences’ still exist after the first round of face-to-face post-Brexit trade talks since March.

The negotiations were previously taking place via video link due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The two sides had planned to complete a full week of negotiations in Brussels which would conclude today.

But the talks ended early yesterday afternoon after both sides agreed that attempts to reach a breakthrough had been exhausted.

Mr Barnier had hoped that restarting talks in person would ‘inject new dynamics’.

He said: ‘ Our goal was to get negotiations successfully and quickly on a trajectory to reach an agreement. However, after four days of discussions, serious divergences remain.’

Insisting a deal was still possible, he added: ‘We will continue to insist on parallel progress on all areas. The EU expects, in turn, its positions to be better understood and respected in order to reach an agreement. We need an equivalent engagement by the United Kingdom.’

David Frost, the UK’s chief negotiator, said that holding face-to-face talks had ‘given extra depth and flexibility’. But he added: ‘The negotiations have... underlined the significant differences that still remain between us on a number of important issues. We remain committed to working hard to find an understanding on the principles underlying an agreement.’

Talks have stalled over the issues of fishing rights and because the EU wants a ‘level playing field’ in which the UK would not cut red tape imposed by Brussels.

On fishing, Brussels wants EU trawlers to be guaranteed their current rights in perpetuity, while Britain insists the UK should determine access on an annual basis. On the level playing field, Brussels wants Britain to remain bound by EU law, particularly on state aid for businesses.

Mr Frost has repeatedly told his counterpart that the demands are unacceptable and go well beyond what was demanded in other trade deals, such as with Canada.

But in a glimmer of hope for the talks, Mr Barnier hinted that he may accept Britain’s rejection of a role of the European Court of Justice in the UK. He said he had ‘listened carefully’ to Boris Johnson’s red lines which suggests there may be wiggle room in his negotiation.

Speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the EU will not agree a trade deal at ‘any price’. She added that it must include ‘fair competition conditions’ via the level playing field and ‘we are still a long way apart’ from reaching an agreement.

Mrs Merkel has warned the EU must be ready for talks to fail.

The next formal round of meetings is due to begin in Brussels on July 20. But before this, Mr Barnier will be in London for less formal talks in a bid to help clear the path for a breakthrough.

Downing Street has effectively set the end of September as the deadline for Brexit trade talks. This is because Mr Frost will replace Sir Mark Sedwill as the national security adviser at the end of August.

Mr Frost will not be replaced and the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said this could mean he will be doing both jobs for a time, but stressed this would be for a very limited period at most.

Mr Johnson also does not want talks to run on because it would leave businesses with too little time to prepare for the end of the transition period in December.

‘The EU expects to be understood’