Daily US Times: Downing Street has said that trade talks between the UK and EU over a post-Brexit trade agreement are “over”.
No 10 said there was “no point” in discussions continuing next week unless the European Union was prepared to discuss the detailed legal text of a partnership.
Earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK had to “get ready” to trade with the EU next year without an agreement.
The EU has said it is willing to “intensify” trade talks but it will not do a deal “at any price”.
The UK set a deadline of Thursday to decide whether it was worth continuing talks with the EU amid disagreements in key areas.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, due in London next week for further discussions but the UK officials suggested his trip would be pointless unless the EU shifted its position.
Prime Minister’s official spokesman said:”There is only any point in Michel Barnier coming to London next week if he’s prepared to address all the issues on the basis of a legal text in an accelerated way, without the UK required to make all the moves or to discuss the practicalities of travel and haulage.”
“If not there is no point in coming,” the spokesman added.
Trade talks are over, he said, adding that he EU have effectively ended them by saying they do not want to change their negotiating position.”
Mr Johnson suggested while speaking in Downing Street earlier that the EU was unwilling to seriously consider the UK’s preferred option of a comprehensive free trade agreement based on the bloc’s existing arrangement with Canada.
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