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Negotiators from the European Union and the United Kingdom will begin a last push to save the chances of a post-Brexit trade deal after Downing Street warned that the gaps between the two sides remain “very large.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held crucial talks over dinner in Brussels yesterday with the aim of breaking the deadlock, but key differences prevail.
The leaders agreed to make a “firm decision” on the future of the talks at the end of the weekend and asked their main negotiators, David Frost and Michel Barnier, to meet in the city today.
However, in a statement after three hours of dinner and discussions in Brussels, a senior No. 10 source said it was “unclear” whether the differences between the two sides could be bridged.
They said: “The Prime Minister and VDL (von der Leyen) had a frank discussion about the significant obstacles that remain in the negotiations.
“There are still very large gaps between the two sides and it is not yet clear whether they can be bridged.
“The prime minister and VDL agreed to continue discussions over the next few days between their negotiating teams.
“The prime minister does not want to leave any path to a possible agreement untested. The prime minister and VDL agreed that a firm decision should be made on the future of the talks by Sunday.”
A Downing Street spokesman added that “any agreement must respect the independence and sovereignty of the United Kingdom.”
Ms Von der Leyen said the negotiating teams should “meet again immediately” to try to resolve the “essential issues”, but stressed that the positions remain “widely separated”.
She said in a statement: “We had a lively and interesting discussion about the situation on the to-do list.
“We got a clear understanding of each other’s positions. They are still very far apart.
“We agreed that the teams should meet again immediately to try to solve these essential problems. We will reach a decision at the end of the weekend.”
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It was hoped that progress at the political level between Mr. Johnson and Ms. Von der Leyen could pave the way for further talks between Mr. Frost and Mr. Barnier.
Statements from both sides suggested that while further discussions would take place, no substantial movement had been made on the key issues.
Johnson and von der Leyen discussed the potential trade deal over a three-course dinner with scallops and turbot.
Negotiations have failed on fishing rights, among other issues, and the Commission’s menu will be seen by some as a scathing gesture, but as a sign that it has a sense of humor for others.
Other notable differences include “level playing field” measures aimed at preventing the UK from downgrading the EU on state subsidies and rules, and the way any deal will be governed.
Before leaving London, Johnson told MPs that no prime minister could accept the EU’s demands, although he insisted a trade deal was still possible.
Their meeting came today ahead of a European Council summit where Ms Von der Leyen is expected to brief the leaders of the 27 member countries on the status of the negotiations.
Only three weeks remain for the current transitional provisions to expire.
If no deal is reached, tariffs will be imposed on UK exports to the EU, the country’s biggest trading partner, and it could also increase red tape.
The Office of Budget Responsibility has suggested that a no-deal outcome could wipe out 2% of gross domestic product, a measure of the size of the economy, by 2021.
The Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, warned that the long-term damage caused by a no-deal situation would be worse than the economic impact of the coronavirus.
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