Brexit trade deal ‘could be done by Tuesday

A Brexit trade deal could be done by next Tuesday, Britain’s chief negotiator has reportedly told the Prime Minister.

David Frost is said to have told Boris Johnson that there is a ‘possible landing zone’ between Britain and the EU within the next seven days, according to the Sun.

If the deal is struck, it will end almost a year of tough negotiations – led by Mr Frost and his counterpart Michel Barnier – over future trade between Britain and EU after Brexit.

Though the UK officially left the EU on January 31, it will not leave the single market and customs union until December 31.

Mr Johnson has repeatedly warned the UK will leave on that date with or without a trade agreement – a move which would see trade between the two countries default to World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

Yesterday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested Britain was not prepared to bend to demands from the bloc that it make concessions on fishing rights and state aid rules – two of the Government’s supposed ‘red lines’ in the negotiations.

His comments came as talks continued between Britain and the EU in Brussels yesterday.

But the talks played out amid increasing concern an agreement would not be signed ahead of the end of the transition period.

Mr Frost said on Sunday that, while there had been some progress over recent days and the two sides had common draft treaty texts, significant elements were yet to be agreed.

Mr Hancock meanwhile warned that the Government’s red lines had not changed.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Hancock said: ‘Our red lines haven’t changed and we’re preparing for whatever the outcome is.

James Robinson

source:dailymail.co.uk