Breakthrough: U.K. and EU reach trade agreement

BRUSSELS » Just a week before the deadline, Britain and the European Union struck a tentative free-trade deal Thursday that should avert economic chaos on New Year’s and bring a measure of certainty for businesses after years of Brexit turmoil.

The deal, reached after nine tough months of negotiations, would ensure Britain and the 27-nation bloc can continue to trade in goods without tariffs or quotas after the U.K. breaks fully free of the EU on New Year’s Day.

“We have taken back control,” declared British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who posted a picture of himself, beaming with thumbs up.

Relief was palpable on all sides.