European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, right, and the British Prime Minister’s Europe adviser David Frost arrive for Brexit trade talks between the EU and the UK, in Brussels, Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:35 PM PT – Friday, August 21, 2020
The European Union and the United Kingdom ended another round of trade talks in deadlock this week. During Friday’s conference, negotiators on both sides acknowledged there has been “little progress” made on working out new trade terms before the current arrangements expire at the end of 2020.
Specifically, the EU and U.K. have disagreed on fishery policies, as well as state aid for businesses.
EU officials believe the chances of striking a deal by the October deadline, which was implemented to ensure all of the bloc’s members ratify it before next year, are remote.
“Too often this week, it felt as if we were going backwards more than forwards. Given the short time left, what I said in London in July remains true. Today, at this stage, an agreement between the U.K. and the European Union seems unlikely.” – Michel Barnier, EU Chief Negotiator
U.K. officials have said they will not extend talks for a trade agreement beyond the official end of the Brexit transition period.
RELATED: U.K. Prime Minister Johnson: Post-Brexit Free Trade Accord Within Reach
Be the first to comment