Boris Johnson has been the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since summer 2019. -

Alastair Grant / AP / SIPA

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday conditioned the continuation of post-Brexit trade negotiations on "a fundamental change of approach" on the part of the Europeans, despite the threat of a "no deal" on January 1st.

Thursday's EU summit gave rise to a new dialogue of the deaf, with the 27 demanding concessions from London, while saying they want to continue talks to reach a free trade agreement before next year, when EU rules cease to apply in UK.

"They have abandoned the idea of ​​a free trade agreement, there does not seem to be any progress on the part of Brussels so what we say to them is: come and see us if there is a fundamental change in approach. otherwise it would be fine for us to talk about the practical details ”of an exit without a trade deal, Boris Johnson told British television.

"We have to prepare for an arrangement which resembles what was concluded with Australia", which amounts to a "no deal" where trade is governed by the rules of the World Trade Organization, he said. -he adds.

A deadline for Johnson

After her speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assured that European negotiators would go to London next week "to intensify" the discussions.

Brussels believes that a compromise on a possible free trade agreement must be found by the end of October in order to be able to be implemented in January.

But Boris Johnson had made Thursday's EU summit a deadline.

EU Heads of State and Government noted "with concern that progress made on key issues of interest to the Union is still not sufficient for an agreement to be reached" in the short term. still available to both parties.

They demanded that London do "whatever is necessary to make a deal possible", appearing to harden their stance on the talks that took place earlier in the week between Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen.

Three key topics

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, then went back in part on this strong statement, calling for concessions on both sides to unblock negotiations.

But London was stung.

British negotiator David Frost said Thursday evening he was "disappointed" by European demands and even "surprised that the EU is no longer committed to working intensively".

The talks between London and Brussels are still stumbling on three subjects: access for Europeans to fish-rich British waters, the guarantees demanded in London in terms of competition - despite recent progress - and how to settle disputes in the future agreement.

The Prime Minister had already said that his country was ready for a "no deal", which would mark the sudden introduction of quotas and customs duties between the bloc and the United Kingdom, and would block access to British waters for fishermen Europeans.

World

From October 1, 2021, the passport will be required to enter the UK

World

The hypothesis of a “no-deal” Brexit is “very credible” and “likely today”, estimates Paris

  • World

  • Michel barnier

  • Negotiation

  • EU

  • UK

  • Boris Johnson

  • Brexit