EU's Barnier says: just hours left for a Brexit trade deal

By Marine Strauss, Alistair Smout

 

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier gestures as he addresses the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, December 18, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman

 

BRUSSELS/LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and European Union have just hours left to navigate the very narrow path to a trade deal that would prevent the most turbulent finale to the Brexit crisis in less than two weeks’ time, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday.

 

As talks go down to the wire, both sides are demanding the other compromise amid a flurry of often conflicting messages that, variously, a deal is possible, a deal is in serious trouble or that a deal is imminent.

 

An accord would ensure that the goods trade which makes up half of annual EU-UK commerce, worth nearly a trillion dollars in all, would remain free of tariffs and quotas beyond Dec. 31.

 

“It’s the moment of truth,” Barnier told the European Parliament in Brussels. “There is a chance of getting an agreement but the path to such an agreement is very narrow.”

 

“We find ourselves in a very serious and sombre situation,” Barnier said. “We have very little time remaining, just a few hours to work through these negotiations in a useful fashion if we want this agreement to enter into force on the first of January.”

 

Sterling, which has oscillated to the beat of Brexit news for five years, fell 0.5% against the U.S. dollar to $1.3513, retracing most of Thursday’s gain.

 

“SERIOUS SITUATION”

 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a call on Thursday that talks were in a “serious situation” and that it now looked very likely that an agreement would not be reached unless the EU position changed substantially.

 

Von der Leyen said progress had been made but bridging the divide on some areas, especially fisheries, would be “very challenging”.

 

While Barnier said the sides were striving at an agreement, he said the 27-nation bloc would not sign a deal that would undercut its cherished single market of 450 million consumers.

 

He said the EU needed to be able to impose trade barriers should the UK change its regulations to offer substandard goods on the bloc’s market.

 

For fisheries, he said the bloc also wanted to be free to retaliate by curbing EU market access to UK fish products should Britain squeeze European ships out of its waters.

 

“That is where we get to one of the most difficult issues at the moment. Fisheries being part and parcel of the trade relationship,” said Barnier, adding he did not know if the talks would yield a deal, or not. “We have to be prepared for all eventualities.”

 

Johnson, the face of the 2016 Brexit campaign, will ultimately have to decide whether to accept the narrow deal on offer from the EU or risk the economic chaos and domestic political applause that walking away would trigger.

 

Britain joined the EU in 1973, and formally left on Jan. 31. Since then, it has been in a transition period under which rules on trade, travel and business remain unchanged.

 

Failure to agree a deal on goods trade would send shockwaves through financial markets, hurt the economies of Europe, snarl borders and sow chaos along delicate supply chains that stretch across Europe and beyond.

 

Senior British minister Michael Gove on Thursday put the chances of getting a deal at less than 50%. He also said talks could potentially continue until after Christmas.

 

Johnson portrays Brexit as a chance to build Britain into a fully independent economy that would be much more agile than its competitors, and so does not want to be tied into the EU’s orbit and its rules for years to come.

 

EU powers fear London wants the best of both worlds - preferential access to EU markets, with the advantage of setting its own rules. They say this would undermine a project that has sought to bind the nations of Europe, ruined by World War Two, into a global trading power.

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2020-12-18

 

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Looks like no deal....the EU cannot afford to fold as it opens the door to other members potentially leaving......Boris can't fold because the ERG will crucify him. So better we all suffer the economic shock of this farce.

Edited December 18, 20205 yr by Surelynot

14 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

“It’s the moment of truth,” Barnier told the European Parliament in Brussels.

The truth is M. Barnier, that you have failed totally. Failed to punish the UK into any sovereignty beating EU rules. Failed to bring back any type of deal for any of your EU industries, especially the French fishermen.
No wonder the EU is now in turmoil with its own members and the increasing worry about the probability of more exits.

Troll post removed

1 hour ago, Surelynot said:

Looks like no deal....the EU cannot afford to fold as it opens the door to other members potentially leaving......Boris can't fold because the ERG will crucify him. So better we all suffer the economic shock of this farce.

There will be a deal - it is incomprehensible to believe Johnson is really stupid enough to sacrifice a few cod for access to the single market! 
 

But do we really need another thread ? 

59 minutes ago, Loiner said:

The truth is M. Barnier, that you have failed totally. Failed to punish the UK into any sovereignty beating EU rules. Failed to bring back any type of deal for any of your EU industries, especially the French fishermen.
No wonder the EU is now in turmoil with its own members and the increasing worry about the probability of more exits.

and Boris had emerged as politician of the year ? a fool no sane person would put in charge of his shoelaces ?? An utter clown on the world stage and determined everyone should know it. 
 

But fishing AGAIN ???? How desperate are you ? 0.01% of gdp is that all you’ve got ? Boris has got a few mackerel Barnier has the single market - I won’t hold my breath but even a brexiteer can see the issue there ? 
 

How many ultimatums is your chubby little mate up to now ? 

Edited December 18, 20205 yr by Bruntoid
Dumbed it down

5 minutes ago, Bruntoid said:

and Boris had emerged as politician of the year ? a fool no sane person would put in charge of his shoelaces ?? An utter clown on the world stage and determined everyone should know it. 
 

But fishing AGAIN ???? How desperate are you ? 0.01% of gdp is that all you’ve got ? Boris has got a few mackerel Barnier has the single market - I won’t hold my breath but even a brexiteer can see the issue there ? 
 

How many ultimatums is your chubby little mate up to now ? 

When we are fully released from the EU shackles and independent again Boris will not only be politician of the year, but statesman of the century. All those plinths where statues were toppled will soon be adorned with tributes to Boris, plus the empty one in Trafalgar Square.

 

Isn't it Barnier issuing the ultimatums this week? He's failed there too, and Boris has told him so.

 

Just hours left Michel?

 

We got you a taxi. It leaves in 10 minutes time. You can wait in reception.

Just now, Loiner said:

When we are fully released from the EU shackles and independent again Boris will not only be politician of the year, but statesman of the century. All those plinths where statues were toppled will soon be adorned with tributes to Boris, plus the empty one in Trafalgar Square.

 

Isn't it Barnier issuing the ultimatums this week? He's failed there too, and Boris has told him so.

 

 

Goid grief there must be tablets for that ! 
 

Come up with any U.K. industry bosses (employers) backing Brexit yet ? 

22 minutes ago, Bruntoid said:

it is incomprehensible to believe Johnson is really stupid enough

...and there's the rub......he'll do what is best for him and him alone.

4 minutes ago, Bruntoid said:

 

Goid grief there must be tablets for that ! 
 

Come up with any U.K. industry bosses (employers) backing Brexit yet ? 

A hat trick of 'ficker that us'-es  on the first page...? 

11 minutes ago, Bruntoid said:

 

Goid grief there must be tablets for that ! 
 

Come up with any U.K. industry bosses (employers) backing Brexit yet ? 

 

Why not try a chill pill yourself.

 

Sorry, I haven't got time to ring them all and get their names.

1 minute ago, Loiner said:

 

Why not try a chill pill yourself.

 

Sorry, I haven't got time to ring them all and get their names.

Ridiculous graphic.....what is important is the value of trade with the EU..........

I think they all need "one more last chance"  and all would be set right.  Brexit - the never ending story . . . .  

1 hour ago, Loiner said:

... and the increasing worry about the probability of more exits.

For you, who wants to leave ? I don't read any news of people in the streets asking to leave EU 

 

I know it's the Brexiter's dream : that everybody wants to leave, but why it doesn't happen ? 

4 minutes ago, Loiner said:

 

Why not try a chill pill yourself.

 

Sorry, I haven't got time to ring them all and get their names.

That’s ok just name one - we can go from there ....

 

Name ONE major large scale industry boss who provides the jobs, that pay the taxes, that oils the wheels of the nation, that supports brexit - surely it can’t be that difficult can it ? 

14 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

...and there's the rub......he'll do what is best for him and him alone.

Of course that’s always been the case - he waddles along playing his pipe and the sun readers follow ...

 

De waffle only jumped on the brexit bus as it was the only way he could be pm and the lifelong cushion that provides! 

8 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

Ridiculous graphic.....what is important is the value of trade with the EU..........

No no no - the economy post brexit isn’t important apparently ‘it’s not what brexit was about’ they bleat as they trudge down to the dole office ???? or sorry shuffle down to pick up the pension 

13 minutes ago, Aforek said:

For you, who wants to leave ? I don't read any news of people in the streets asking to leave EU 

 

I know it's the Brexiter's dream : that everybody wants to leave, but why it doesn't happen ? 

There's one thing for sure what we have seen and heard from the EU in the past 4 or 5 years cannot affect the original decision to leave, nobody I know that voted leave have no regrets of their decision to leave, infact it has just reinforced that decision. The EU will reap what they sow.

Edited December 18, 20205 yr by vogie

1 hour ago, Surelynot said:

Looks like no deal....the EU cannot afford to fold as it opens the door to other members potentially leaving......Boris can't fold because the ERG will crucify him. So better we all suffer the economic shock of this farce.

Win-Win for everyone then ????

5 minutes ago, Bruntoid said:

That’s ok just name one - we can go from there ....

 

Name ONE major large scale industry boss who provides the jobs, that pay the taxes, that oils the wheels of the nation, that supports brexit - surely it can’t be that difficult can it ? 

It has obviously escaped your notice that we don't care what major large scale industry bosses think. They were a significant part of the problem with their EU preferences, cheap labour and Remainer political lobbying, to which you have succumbed.

Your focus on them is misguided because they are but small wheels in the national cog and not the only ones who oil the wheels of the nation. The nation decides the politics, not them.

19 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

Ridiculous graphic.....what is important is the value of trade with the EU..........

Ridiculous notion to think that value is the most important. That is easily skewed by high value goods.

16 minutes ago, Aforek said:

For you, who wants to leave ? I don't read any news of people in the streets asking to leave EU 

 

I know it's the Brexiter's dream : that everybody wants to leave, but why it doesn't happen ? 

They are waiting to see how it goes for the British.

 

We've always been pioneers. Always had the gonads to walk the walk. Then others follow. Human nature. The strong minded lead the weak minded.

 

The EUs attempts to hold us back will fail. That's when the corrupt house of cards in Brussels will fold.

51 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Just hours left Michel?

 

We got you a taxi. It leaves in 10 minutes time. You can wait in reception.

But the taxi only takes GBP. No Euro credit cards and definitely NO Euro currencies.

Just a small tip for Reuters.

 

quote from the OP "Britain joined the EU in 1973, and formally left on Jan. 31. Since then, it has been in a transition period under which rules on trade, travel and business remain unchanged."

 

Please reporters for Reuters do some research. Google is your friend.

 

The UK did NOT join the EU in 1973, we joined the EEC, the European Economic Community or Common Market. 

 

November 1, 1993, Maastricht

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union

 

The EU and European citizenship were established when the Maastricht Treaty came into force in 1993.[19] The EU traces its origins to the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and the European Economic Community (EEC), established, respectively, by the 1951 Treaty of Paris and 1957 Treaty of Rome. 

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

For fisheries, he said the bloc also wanted to be free to retaliate by curbing EU market access to UK fish products should Britain squeeze European ships out of its waters.

UK Navy gun boats will not squeeze I hope they sink em.

1 hour ago, vogie said:

There's one thing for sure what we have seen and heard from the EU in the past 4 or 5 years cannot affect the original decision to leave, nobody I know that voted leave have no regrets of their decision to leave, infact it has just reinforced that decision. The EU will reap what they sow.

Surely that’s obvious. No one stupid enough to send the 6th largest economy into the abyss without the faintest idea what they voted for are ever going to have the intellectual nous to realise they were mad.

Now if the Sun printed tomorrow they were wrong after all....

1 hour ago, Loiner said:

It has obviously escaped your notice that we don't care what major large scale industry bosses think. They were a significant part of the problem with their EU preferences, cheap labour and Remainer political lobbying, to which you have succumbed.

Your focus on them is misguided because they are but small wheels in the national cog and not the only ones who oil the wheels of the nation. The nation decides the politics, not them.

tee hee there you have it - another brexiteer, and one who fancies himself as a brexit mouthpiece, has now stated that major job providers just don’t matter ????

 

The point being, predictably missed, is those leaders will have the figures, the logistics, the projections right in front of them and they don’t like what they see, you don’t think they would be bouncing up and down if they could see positives for their industries meaning riches for them ? you on the other hand have The Sun. 

 

so onto jobs - who’s going to be providing them ? Because you know they provide taxes right ? and you know what taxes do right ? Take your time now ....

Edited December 18, 20205 yr by Bruntoid

50 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

UK Navy gun boats will not squeeze I hope they sink em.

The intellectual mindset of a brexiteer laid bare ????

13 minutes ago, Bruntoid said:

Surely that’s obvious. No one stupid enough to send the 6th largest economy into the abyss without the faintest idea what they voted for are ever going to have the intellectual nous to realise they were mad.

Now if the Sun printed tomorrow they were wrong after all....

Intellectual people don't have to insult other posters every time they post, they can argue their point without patronizing all the time.