Chances of Brexit deal slim; EU sees ‘blame game’

Britain and the EU traded ill-tempered barbs Tuesday as the UK said a Brexit deal might be impossible, with just over three weeks until its scheduled departure from the bloc.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office said EU intransigence had led to a breakdown in negotiations, prompting a top European leader to warn against playing a “stupid blame game” — and chide Johnson in Latin. Johnson’s office gave a gloomy assessment after a call between the prime minister and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Downing Street said Merkel had told Johnson that “a deal is overwhelmingly unlikely” unless the UK agreed to allow Northern Ireland to continue to follow EU customs rules in order to maintain an open border with EU member Ireland.