Post-Brexit trade deal with EU 'will not be easy to achieve'

1 September 2020, 15:04

Britain and the EU remain deadlocked in their talks on future trade ties
Britain and the EU remain deadlocked in their talks on future trade ties. Picture: PA

A post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union remains possible but "it is clear that it will not be easy to achieve", Downing Street has said.

Britain and the EU remain deadlocked in their talks on future trade ties, with just four months until the transition period ends.

Informal Brexit talks between negotiators David Frost and Michel Barnier were taking place in London on Tuesday, ahead of the eighth round of formal negotiations next week.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We will continue to work hard to reach an agreement and look forward to the next round (of talks) next week.

"We believe an agreement is still possible and it is still our goal but it is clear that will not be easy to achieve."

Asked if there was any possibility of an extension to the transition period, the spokesman replied: "No."

"I think the EU continues to insist that we must agree on difficult areas in the negotiations, such as EU state aid, before any further work can be done in any other area of the negotiation, including on legal texts ... that makes it very difficult to make progress," he said.

"We would instead like to settle the simplest issues first in order to build momentum in the talks as time is short for both sides."

The spokesman also confirmed that the Government is in the "final stages" of post-Brexit trade deal talks with Japan.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

US Capitol Police arrested a man on Tuesday

Man arrested at US Capitol for 'smelling like fuel and bringing a flare gun and a torch', police say

Israeli PM Netanyahu has fired his defence minister Yoav Gallant.

Israeli PM Netanyahu fires defence minister Yoav Gallant in surprise announcement

Donald Trump after casting his vote on Tuesday

Donald Trump claims he's 'very confident' of victory in US election race after casting his ballot

Conor McGregor has been accused of raping and choking a woman in a Dublin hotel

Conor McGregor accused of raping and choking woman after snorting cocaine

The ex-Manchester City footballer married Stephen Darby in 2018, a few months before he was diagnosed with the condition

Ex-Lioness captain Steph Houghton reveals husband's 'life-changing' operation amid MND battle

Underground train, Barbican Tube Station, Smithfield, England, United Kingdom

Tube drivers call off planned London Underground strikes after improved pay offer

Playa de los Pocillos puerto del carmen Lanzarote, Canary Islands, spain

British tourist, 34, found dead on beach in Lanzarote

Trump and Harris go head to head

US Election night guide: What time do polls close and who is favourite to win?

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had only just turned 12 when he took part in the violent disorder

Britain's youngest rioter: Boy who had just turned 12 sentenced for involvement in violent disorder

The 170-metre red bridge over wetlands in Canada Water, south-east London, opened last week

Security guards to stop cyclists from using bright red ‘wildlife boardwalk’ at £3.3bn London housing development

Rubert Gispin was visiting flood-hit parts of his native Valencia

Spanish influencer defends ‘shameful’ decision to deliberately cover himself in mud in Valencia’s flood damaged streets

Sara Sharif's father denies murdering the 10-year-old.

Father claims he begged to save Sara Sharif before being told ‘Leave it, she’s dead’

Queen Camilla is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week

The Queen withdraws from engagements this week after being taken ill, Buckingham Palace announces

Tesco customers are furious after being forced to wait hours to book a Christmas delivery slot.

'It's like getting Beyonce tickets': Fury as Tesco shoppers face 'ridiculous' online queues for Christmas delivery slots

Ladbaby has broken its silence on historic allegations of gripping.

Charity chart-topper Ladbaby breaks his silence on 'groping' allegations

Labour MP Chris Webb 'attacked and mugged' near London flat by phone snatching gang

Labour MP Chris Webb 'attacked and mugged' near London flat by phone snatching gang