As Scotland’s first minister calls for an extension of the interim period, Brexit trade deal talks are set to continue beyond their original deadline.
Negotiators Michael Barnier And Lord Frost Meeting in Brussels on Sunday – December 31st, the day the European Parliament called for an agreement to be signed to ensure that the transition period could not be signed.
But they failed to reach an agreement, and a government source described the situation as “difficult” and the remaining key differences in government assistance for fishing and trade.
The UK is in crisis over a new strain Corona virus And many EU countries close their borders, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, The Prime Minister urged for an extension of the Brexit transition period.
He said Britain was facing a “deeply difficult situation” with the new change COVID-19, Which “demands our 100% attention”.
“Linking it to Brexit is not compatible,” he tweeted Sunday night.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson Conducting emergency Meeting of the Cobra Committee of the Government The UK tried on Monday to curb food shortages after France banned all shipments from Britain.
A string of EU countries, including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and Ireland, have banned travel to the UK due to concerns about the new strain – which is expected to spread by up to 70%.
The port of Dover has been closed to both freight and passenger traffic amid a French travel ban.
EU chief negotiator Mr Barnier said the Brexit trade talks were at a “critical juncture”.
The UK has accused the EU of making “unreasonable demands” on fishing rights and competition rules.
Sources warned that there would be no agreement without “significant change” from the EU.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sophie Ridge on Sunday: “We want these talks to reach a positive conclusion and I think everyone wants a deal.
“Unfortunately, the EU has made some unreasonable demands. I hope an agreement can be reached, but it requires movement on the part of the EU.”
Initially, the EU said there should be an agreement by December 20 if EU leaders had time to ratify it by the end of the year.
If an agreement comes later, EU rules will temporarily allow leaders to sign, but will delay approval until 2021.
But if there is no agreement on New Year’s Day, the UK will have to leave the single market and customs union and trade with the EU in terms of WTO rules – which could put the risk of tariffs and commodity prices rising.
