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EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen still sees “big differences” between the two sides in negotiations with Britain on a post-Brexit trade deal. “Overcoming this will be a great challenge,” he said after a phone call with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The UK government said it was “very likely” that no deal could be reached unless Brussels changed its position “significantly”.
Von der Leyen said that although there have been “substantial advances” on many issues, there are still big differences, particularly in the area of fisheries. Negotiations would continue on Friday.
The outcome of the talks between Brussels and London is also open shortly before the conclusion. Britain left the EU on February 1, but the country will remain in the EU internal market and in the customs union until the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the time for the timely ratification of a planned trade agreement is extremely short. Without an agreement, customs duties would be collected in mutual trade at the end of the year, with serious consequences for the economy.
