UK Prime Minister threatens EU with refusal of deal

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said trade talks with the European Union are in a “serious situation,” warning that a deal will be impossible unless the bloc softens its demands over fisheries, Report says, citing TASS.

Johnson spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday night, who said in a separate statement that “big differences” remain between the two sides, particularly on fishing.

“The Prime Minister underlined that the negotiations were now in a serious situation,” the readout said. “Time was very short, and it now looked very likely that the agreement would not be reached unless the EU position changed substantially.”

The transition period after Brexit ends on December 31, but there is still no trade agreement between the UK and the European Union. There were too many contradictions between the parties, and they took a principled position on each of them. Although the sides are moving towards a compromise, the situation is complicated by disagreements within the EU.