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Trade talks between the UK and the EU have been ongoing for more than five months, as both sides desperately try to reach an agreement before the end of the transition period on December 31, a deadline that the prime minister will has refused to extend. But little progress has been made in seven rounds of official talks between negotiating teams led by Britain’s David Frost and his EU counterpart, Michel Barnier. Both sides have blamed each other for the continued stalemate, with a significant distance between them on several crucial red lines, primarily fisheries, state aid, and a level playing field for the EU.
Johnson delivered his general election manifesto to “Get Brexit” on January 31, with London and Brussels entering an 11-month transition period.
The Prime Minister’s direct involvement in post-Brexit trade talks with the EU has been minimal, leaving Frost at the head of the negotiating strategy.
But Best for Britain, which was launched in April 2017 to stop Brexit and continue the UK’s membership in the EU, warned that “controversial decisions” must now be made at the political rather than the negotiator level.
The campaign group’s executive director, Naomi Smith, believes that significant progress could be made on several crucial red lines once “political actors” get involved, but cautioned that this must happen quickly as the clock ticks towards a Brexit. whitout deal.
Brexit news; Boris Johnson could make a late intervention if talks with the EU remain stalled (Image: GETTY)
Brexit news: Prime Minister kept his general election promise to ‘get Brexit done’ (Image: GETTY)
She told Express.co.uk: “The signs of late have not been encouraging, with EU sources speaking dejectedly about a ‘lost summer’. Controversial decisions will have to be made at the political level, rather than the negotiator level.” .
When asked if a no-deal Brexit is inevitable if no progress is made during the eighth round of UK-EU talks in London next week, Ms Smith replied: ‘Nothing is inevitable until time is up. .
“Once the political actors themselves get involved, we are much more likely to see movement in the red lines that each side claims to have.
“The ticking is loud, but there is still time, and it is remarkable how much can be agreed upon in late-night conversations once some momentum is gained.
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Brexit news: Michel Barnier warned UK a no-deal outcome is approaching (Image: GETTY)
“These negotiations are difficult but the prize is substantial – while there is time, there is hope.”
The Best for Britain CEO said that despite continued stagnation, the UK and EU will eventually have to give ground on some of their red lines to make a breakthrough in trade talks, insisting that compromise should not be seen. as a sign of weakness.
But he warned that until progress is made on the crucial red lines for fishing and state aid, which remain “extremely problematic,” the talks will remain stalled as “nothing is agreed in such negotiations until everything is agreed.”
Ms. Smith said: “In trade negotiations, both parties must appear to blink simultaneously.
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Brexit news: Boris Johnson’s direct involvement in EU trade negotiations has been minimal (Image: GETTY)
Brexit news: UK-EU trade negotiations have so far failed to make significant progress (Image: GETTY)
“The compromise is not weak: it is absolutely essential, especially if the UK and the EU are to reach an agreement before the end of the year.”
The executive director of The Best for Britain also warned that the UK or EU walking away from the negotiating table “does not solve anything” as it would only push existing problems into next year and further magnify their impact.
She believes that a trade deal is equally “essential” for both the UK and the EU, urging both negotiating teams to distance themselves from the “zero-sum policy” and “accept that the deals benefit everyone.”
Ms Smith concluded: “Walking away does not solve anything. Trade between the UK and the EU will continue no matter what, and walking away would simply push our existing problems into the next year and beyond.
“However, without a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, that trade will be unnecessarily restricted by red tape, border delays and tariffs that will drive up the costs of basic goods and food for British consumers.”
Brexit news: the transition period ends on December 31, 2020 (Image: EXPRESS)
He added: “The EU is the UK’s largest trading partner. In 2019, UK exports to the EU were £ 300 billion (43 percent of all UK exports).
“UK imports from the EU were £ 372 billion (51 per cent of all UK imports), so a trade deal is essential from the UK’s point of view.
“However, the EU is concerned that Britain will undermine its level playing field and become the EU’s main competitor, at the gates of Europe, so it is fair to say that a deal is also essential for the EU”.
“We need to move away from the zero-sum policy and accept that the agreements benefit everyone, the cake itself gets bigger.”
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