Analysis: These are the stumbling blocks in the Brexit negotiations

It was never an easy task for the EU and the UK when the British left the Union on 31 January this year. But the corona pandemic has made the negotiations on a free trade agreement even more complicated. Instead of face-to-face conversations, the first four formal rounds were held via video link. After that, the issues were raised to the leaders' table and it was decided that the negotiations would be intensified during the month of July.

Since then, Barnier and Frost have met several times for informal conversations. According to people with insight, the physical meetings have eased the tone somewhat, but no concrete progress has been made.   

Several stumbling blocks are on the agenda for the next three days in London. One such is whether the British will continue to be forced to comply with EU rules on the environment, labor law and state aid. Another is fishing. A third is the role of the European Court of Justice.

If no new agreement is in place before the end of the transition period, a "hard Brexit" with tariffs and quotas awaits according to WTO rules. And the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly stated that an extension of the transition period is out of the question. 

So time is running out. Not least for Boris Johnson who wants a draft agreement ready already this summer. EU27 and Michel Barnier are not in such a hurry. Barnier wants a draft ready in September and a full agreement by 31 October. 

So far, both sides seem to agree that an agreement can be ready in a relatively short time, as long as one can overcome the biggest obstacles. The sixth and final formal round of negotiations will begin on August 17, after which there are no concrete plans.