Talks over post-Brexit deal break up over differences

THE LATEST round of talks between Britain and the European Union on a postBrexit trade deal have broken up early with “significant differences” remaining between the two sides.

The talks this week have been taking place in Brussels, with the negotiating teams meeting face-to-face for the first time since the Covid-19 outbreak. They had been due to continue to today. The UK’s chief negotiator, David Frost, said yesterday that while the ability to meet in person had given “extra depth” to the discussions, there was more to do.

He said: “The negotiations have been comprehensive and useful. But they have also underlined the significant differences that still remain.”

His EU opposite number, Michel Barnier, said that while Brussels had engaged “constructively”, officials needed to see an “equivalent engagement from the UK side”.

“Our goal was to get negotiations successfully and quickly on a trajectory to reach an agreement,” he said. “However, after four days of discussions, serious divergences remain.”

He said the EU side had “listened carefully” to British concerns, but made clear there could be no deal without agreements on fisheries and the socalled “level playing” requiring the UK to follow EU standards in return for continued access to the single market.

If the two sides are unable to reach a deal by the end of the current Brexit transition period at the end of the year, it will mean Britain leaving the single market and the customs union without any agreement on future access.