British Prime Minister Boris Jonathan will seek to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday to try to break an impasse in trade talks with time running out to avoid a chaotic end to the Brexit saga.
Britain left the European Union on January 31st but rules governing trade, travel, and business have remained unchanged during a transition period which ends on 31st December when a new relationship will be established with or without a deal.
The talks between Jonathan and von der Leyen could provide the political impetus to move the sides closer to bridging their substantial differences, or highlight how the “red lines” on both sides mean a deal remains out of reach.
If the two sides fail to reach a deal, the five-year Brexit divorce will end messily just as Britain and Europe grapple with the vast economic cost of the COVID-19 outbreak.
British and EU negotiators paused trade talks on Friday to call; in their leaders to try to narrow the gaps and get an agreement after a week of negotiations; failed to bridge significant divergence between the two sides.
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier told the broadcaster in London as he left for Brussels that “We keep calm, as always, and if there is still a way, we will see.”
Johnson was expected to speak to Barnier’s UK counterpart David Frost; and other officials on Saturday morning, ahead of the von der Leyen call. The pause in talks on Friday was the latest twist in months of negotiations; which have barely moved on the three thorniest issues – fisheries, ensuring fair competition guarantees, and ways to solve the future disputes.
Sources from both sides said that French demands over fishing rights in British waters remained a key issue.
However, one EU diplomat said French President Emmanuel Macron; was not the only one with reservations, and several member states had also raised concerns; over how far Barnier had moved on competition issues, known as the level-playing field.
The diplomat said, “It’s not just Macron”. Britain says the EU must respect its sovereignty because; the 2016 Brexit referendum result was a vote to “take back control”. But the EU says Britain’s proximity to the bloc means; it cannot offer the “Canada-style” free trade deal that Johnson had been seeking.
Neither side has walked away from the talks yet, suggesting they still hold out; some hope of securing a deal governing almost $1 trillion of annual trade; to avoid a disorderly end to more than 40 years of British membership of the European club.
