EU poised to trigger no deal TONIGHT: Brexit talks to collapse over Brussels' deadline - Daily Express

EU poised to trigger no deal Brexit outcome (Image: Getty)

This week, MEPs passed a deadline claiming Michel Barnier must present them with the trade agreement by December 21. In bold defiance of their resolution, France’s European affairs minister, and close ally of Mr Macron, Clement Beaune insisted negotiations will continue if needed.

But now, a UK source has said the EU has a deadline today which could trigger a no deal outcome.

The source told Express.co.uk: “No deal remains the likeliest outcome.”

They added: “The EU have said that they have a deadline today.

“For our part, we are prepared to keep talking while it remains possible to agree a deal this year."

Today, Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, said the bloc remains “committed” to a “fair, reciprocal and balanced” agreement.

He tweeted: “In this crucial moment for the negotiations, we continue to work hard with @DavidGHFrost and his team. 

“The EU remains committed to a fair, reciprocal & balanced agreement. We respect the sovereignty of the UK. And we expect the same.

“Both EU and UK must have the right to set their own laws and control their own waters.

“And we should both be able to act when our interests are at stake.”

The UK formally left the EU back in January and negotiations have been ongoing in order to secure a deal before the end of the transition period on December 31. 

But both sides are still unable to come to an agreement on fishing, governance and the level playing field. 

Speaking of negotiations, Mr Beaune said it was “necessary” to take time and “not to sacrifice our interests” under pressure.

He said: “It would be normal not to say: well it’s Sunday evening so let’s wrap it and sacrifice everything.

“It may be hard and sometimes tough to understand, but it’s necessary to take the time and, at any rate, not to sacrifice our interests under the pressure of a calendar.”

MEPs had indicated they will hold an emergency plenary session on December 28 to ratify any deal agreed between the EU and UK.

With negotiations being led by the EU Commission, some diplomats have stated the December 21 deadline may be disregarded in pursuit of a deal.

National governments could apply the deal provisionally before it is ratified next year by MEPs.

The EU signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada in 2017.

The UK has also indicated its own desire to continue negotiations as long as possible.

But Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We hope that our EU friends will see sense and come to the table with something themselves.

"If that doesn’t happen, then on January 1 we will be trading on WTO terms.”

Mr Barnier has previously warned EU officials of the lack of time left for a deal to be agreed.

The Frenchman said: “There is a chance of getting an agreement, but the path to such an agreement is very narrow.

“It is the Brits who decided on a very short deadline within which we are now constrained.

"In June, they refused any form of extension of the transition, which was possible, which was on the table, we had agreed to that.

“But they established the date of the 31st of December as that moment of truth.

“What is more important than just the relationship between the UK and the European Union is the European project, which is called into question here.”

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2020-12-20 15:10:00Z
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