Brexit: Boris Johnson in crunch EU trade deal talks in Brussels

Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are trying to break the deadlock over a post-Brexit trade deal in Brussels.

The PM is having dinner with the German politician, alongside UK negotiator Lord Frost and the EU’s Michel Barnier, after 30 minutes of initial talks.

Negotiations between the sides are deadlocked amid disputes over fair competition rules and fishing quotas.

Mr Johnson has said the EU has made demands no prime minister could accept.

Before leaving for Brussels, Mr Johnson tweeted that there was “still a good deal to be done” but that the UK would thrive whatever the outcome.

Time is running out to reach a deal before 31 December, when the UK stops following EU trading rules and leaves the 27-member bloc’s internal market and customs union.

Major disagreements remain on access to UK fishing waters, how far the UK will diverge from EU environmental and labour standards and how a deal will be policed.

Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen, who is representing the leaders of the 27 EU nations, paused for photos as she welcomed him to the Commission’s headquarters.

After removing their masks for a matter of seconds, the PM was encouraged to re-attach his own rather than put it in his pocket, telling his host “you run a tight ship here, Ursula, and quite right too”.

World Opinions News – Médias