According to a British media report on the evening of December 4, local time, the two sides still have "significant differences" and do not have the conditions to reach a trade agreement. The negotiations on the UK-EU trade agreement have been suspended.
It is reported that the differences between the United Kingdom and the European Union over fair competition, fisheries and how to implement the new regulations are still difficult to bridge.
EU negotiator Barnier and British negotiator Frost stated in a joint statement that European Commission President Von der Lein and British Prime Minister Johnson will discuss the current situation on Saturday afternoon (that is, December 5).
The British Broadcasting Corporation quoted government sources to analyze that this joint statement shows that the two sides have very different opinions, and the trade negotiations are at a deadlock.
The so-called "fair competition" refers to the issue of state subsidies and standards, which may seriously affect the competition between the two parties after the transition period ends.
The European Union is concerned that the United Kingdom may reduce social and environmental standards and inject national funds into its own industries and become an economic opponent with weak supervision; while the United Kingdom, which is separated from the European Union with the goal of "recovering control", wants to establish future economic policies freedom of.
In addition, the fishing industry is also a major obstacle to reaching an agreement. Although the industry is only a small part of the European economy, it is symbolic for countries such as France.
(Headquarters reporter Hou Maohua)