15 June 2020 | UK NEWS
Boris Johnson has labelled Britain’s chances of securing a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU as “very good”, following a Brexit summit with the EU.
However, European Council chief Charles Michel has said that the EU would not be pressured into buying into a “pig in a poke”, insisting that a “level playing field” with regard to trade regulations was necessary to secure a deal. This is a line that the Government has previously refused to cross. The official line was that they were “ready to put a tiger in the tank, but not to buy a pig in a poke”.
The virtual summit took place this afternoon and was attended by both the UK Prime Minister and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during which crucial talks took place between the two leaders.
A joint statement from the two sides “welcomed the constructive discussions on the future relationship that had taken place”.
However, it also noted that “the parties agreed nevertheless that new momentum was required.”
Speaking from Downing Street, Johnson said that there was no reason why a deal could not be done in July, considering that both sides had agreed to intensify trade talks.
Boris Johnson said it was “very clear what the UK needs” from the deal. “We can’t have the involvement of the European Court of Justice in this country, we can’t have a system whereby we continue to have to obey EU law even when we’re out of the EU and we’ve got to get a great deal for our fish.
“I don’t think we’re actually that far apart, but what we need now is to see a bit of oomph in the negotiations. What we already said today is the faster we can do this the better; we see no reason why you shouldn’t get that done in July.
“The issue is very clear: we fought an election based on these ideas, the Manifesto was very clear.”
He also appeared to suggest that the EU would prefer further delays, saying: “I certainly don’t want to see it going on to the autumn and winter, as I think perhaps in Brussels they would like.”
Beginning on 29th June, there is set to be a consecutive five-week negotiating series, in response to the calls for increased discussions.
