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‘Strong possibility’ of no trade deal with EU, Boris Johnson says

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Daily US Times: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says there is a “strong possibility” the UK will fail to strike a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union.

Speaking for the first time since a crunch meeting in Brussels, the Mr. Johnson said “now is the time” for firms and people to prepare for a no deal outcome.

Brexit Talks continue between the two sides, but the UK Prime Minister said they were “not yet there at all” in securing a trade deal.

Time is running out to reach an agreement before the UK stops following EU trade rules on 31 December.

Weeks of intensive talks between officials from both sides have failed to overcome obstacles in key areas, including competition rules and fishing rights.

On Wednesday, Mr Johnson met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, but the pair failed to make a breakthrough.

The British PM pledged British negotiators, who earlier resumed talks with their EU counterparts in Brussels, would “go the extra mile” to reach a deal.

But he said the European Union wanted to keep the UK “locked” into its legal system, or face punishments such as taxes on imports, which had “made things much more difficult”.

Mr Johnson added that the EU’s proposals would mean the UK would be forced to remain a “twin” of the 27-country organisation.

He said: “At the moment, I have to tell you in all candour, the treaty is not there yet and that was the strong view of our cabinet.”

Australia is negotiating a free trade deal with the European Union but currently does not have one and largely does business with the EU on World Trade Organization rules.

You may read: UK and Singapore sign free trade agreement

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