[ad_1]
The prime minister warned that EU talks on a post-Brexit free trade deal have ended unless Brussels shows a “fundamental change of approach.” In a spirited statement broadcast on Friday, he told the UK to prepare for a no-deal, as long-running but often bitter negotiations between the two sides completely collapsed during the European Council summit in the capital. Belgian. Johnson accused the EU of making “unacceptable” demands and insisted that Brussels needed a “fundamental change of approach” for there to be any chance of a deal.
He said: “From the beginning, we were very clear that we did not want anything more complicated than a Canadian-style relationship, based on friendship and free trade.
“Judging from the last EU summit in Brussels, that will not work for our EU partners.
“They want the continued ability to control our legislative freedom, our fisheries, in a way that is obviously unacceptable to an independent country.
“Given that they have seriously refused to negotiate for much of the past few months, and given that this summit seems to explicitly rule out a Canada-style deal, I have come to the conclusion that we should prepare for January 1 with more similar arrangements. Australia is based on simple principles of global free trade. “
Brexit news: Boris Johnson has been warned that the EU will not give in to UK demands (Image: GETTY)
Brexit news: Boris Johnson warned that EU trade talks end unless he significantly changes course (Image: DOWNING STREET / PA)
Now, Express.co.uk readers have launched a savage attack on the EU, warning the prime minister that the bloc will remain stubborn in its attempts to fight its ultimatum.
The latest poll, which ran from 1pm to 9pm on Saturday October 17, asked: “After Boris’s ultimatum, will the EU finally give in and accept the UK’s demands?”
However, almost two-thirds (62 percent or 5,077 readers) believe that the EU will stand firm and will not give in to the latest demands from the Prime Minister.
Just under a third (32 percent or 2,584 readers) believe Johnson has gained the upper hand with his ultimatum, while the remaining six percent (451 readers) are undecided.
READ MORE: Brexit LIVE: Boris plans urgent update in less than 24 hours
Brexit news: Express.co.uk readers don’t believe the EU will give in and accept UK demands (Image: EXPRESS)
Readers of Express.co.uk have again backed the UK to withdraw from the negotiating table with the EU and leave the bloc on December 31 without any trade deal.
One person wrote: “The EU is not going to give Boris a deal that allows the UK to be competitive with the bloc, not when we sit at his door on the other side of the channel.
“It’s just not going to happen, and from their point of view, you can see why it will never happen with a closed deal.
“The only way for that to happen is for the UK to walk away with a No Deal.”
DO NOT MISS
EU idiocy could cause Italy to leave the bloc to reach its own Brexit deal [OPINION]
UK threat shakes EU as Macron desperately tries to change Boris’s mind [COMMENT]
Boris backed to ignore Macron’s fishing demands [POLL]
Brexit news: the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen (Image: GETTY)
Brexit news: Downing Street has told Michel Barnier that there is little point in coming to London next week for further talks (Image: GETTY)
A second person wrote: “I hope they don’t give in. No deal is the best deal.”
Several other Express.co.uk readers launched scathing attacks on the EU, with some accusing the bloc of being “devious” and displaying “arrogance”.
One person commented: “The EU will be scheming and devious and will disguise itself under the treaty and legislation. Don’t trust them, Boris.”
Another said: “The underlying arrogance and belief in his superiority with a total lack of integrity, coupled with a general disregard for his own rules, suggests no.”
Johnson had argued that if a trade deal had not been agreed at last week’s European Council summit, which began Thursday, he would withdraw from the negotiating table.
Brexit news: the transition period ends on December 31 (Image: EXPRESS)
Following the prime minister’s latest statement from Downing Street, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier would travel to London on Monday to continue trade talks.
But this was quickly rejected by Number 10, who said there was “no basis for negotiations” in the capital.
And the UK’s chief negotiator, Lord Frost, told his counterpart, Mr Barnier, not to come.
A spokesperson for Number 10 said: “Lord Frost has spoken with Michel Barnier to update the EU on the Prime Minister’s statement.
Lord Frost said that, as the Prime Minister had made clear, yesterday’s European Council conclusions had left us without a basis to continue the trade talks without a fundamental change in the EU’s approach to these negotiations.
Consequently, there was no basis for negotiations in London as of Monday.
“He and Michel Barnier agreed to speak again early next week.”
The prime minister’s official spokesman added: “It only makes sense for Michel Barnier to come to London next week if he is prepared to discuss all issues on the basis of legal texts in an expedited manner, without the UK being obliged to do everything. of movements.
“Or is he willing to discuss the practicalities of areas such as travel and transportation, which the prime minister mentioned in his statement.
“If not, there is no point in coming.”
[ad_2]
