When will Brexit be finished?
No. 10 fears EU’s negotiator is no longer in control of talks
Downing Street’s hopes of a Brexit deal are dimming as the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier loses control of talks on fishing rights, according to reports.
David Frost, the UK’s top negotiator, had hoped to discuss fishing quotas during last week’s fourth round of trade talks with Brussels, but the European Commission was unable to go into detail because of opposition led by France.
At internal EU talks two weeks previously, Barnier was told by France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal not to compromise on fishing quotas that give EU boats the majority of fish, reports The Times.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
After the latest negotiations failed to break the deadlock, both sides said on Friday there there had been no progress towards an agreement, says The Guardian.
Barnier said “the EU wants the status quo, the UK wants to change everything”, but called for discussions “somewhere between”.
Meanwhile, the UK government said the onus was on Barnier to encourage the EU states to compromise.
“We are now at an important moment for these talks,” a No. 10 spokesperson said. “If we are to make progress, it is clear that we must intensify and accelerate our work. Any such deal must of course accommodate the reality of the UK’s well-established position on the so-called level playing field, on fisheries, and the other difficult issues.”
How are negotiations progressing?
So far, so bad. Barnier said of recent talks: “The round that we have just had is disappointing, very disappointing.”
“They seek to have the same benefits of a member state of our single market without the same rights and obligations,” Barnier added.
The UK’s summation has been equally bleak. Britain’s chief Brexit negotiator told Boris Johnson that Barnier is “losing the argument” in talks, but negotiations could end in no deal.
David Frost warned the prime minister that the EU would continue to push for there to be a role for the European Court of Justice in British affairs, even if Johnson was to intervene personally in the negotiations to try and break the deadlock, says The Telegraph.
A British government source told the paper Barnier’s attacks were “bewildering” and that the EU’s “arguments on the merits are not working… [so] they’re reaching for some of the old script.”
What happens if a deal is not agreed?
If a deal cannot be reached and no extension is agreed, the UK will be treated as a “third country” by the EU from 31 December 2020, meaning it will enjoy no special advantages or relationship with the bloc.
The UK would have to trade with EU member states on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms.
WTO terms would mean that any trading advantages the UK offered the EU would have to be offered to all other countries signed up to the WTO, due to Most Favoured Nation rules, explains the organisation’s website.
At the same time, the EU would begin imposing border checks on UK products, even if the UK hadn’t changed any of its rules and regulations.
The UK government has admitted it expects massive border queues and persistent delays for six months or longer in the UK if it leaves without securing a deal.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Will there be a transition period extension?
There are six weeks until the end of June, the current legally binding deadline for an extension request.
Downing Street has repeatedly rejected calls for it to extend the transition period, and insisted the UK will cut ties with the EU at the end of the year if no trade agreement is reached.
In April, the government responded directly to an online petition requesting a Brexit transition extension: “The transition period ends on 31 December 2020, as enshrined in UK law. The Prime Minister has made clear he has no intention of changing this. We remain fully committed to negotiations with the EU.”
But Barnier has been told there is “significant opposition” to the government’s refusal to consider extending the timetable for talks.
The acting Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, and the SNP leader at Westminster, Ian Blackford, have written to Barnier offering their support for an extension, reports ITV News.
Such a move would allow talks to take place when “the efforts of national governments and the European Union will not be engaged solely with dealing with the dreadful Covid-19 epidemic”, they said.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Europe is now beginning to tackle its military to-do list'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Stormont power-sharing in sight: 'good news' for Northern Ireland?
Talking Point Unionists vote to end two-year boycott after agreeing legislative package to address post-Brexit trading arrangements
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How Finland's tightening presidential race could affect future of Europe
Under the radar Country has key geostrategic position along Nato's longest border with an increasingly belligerent Russia
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published