LONDON: Britain on Thursday sounded a more pessimistic note over the outcome of last-ditch Brexit trade talks with the European Union, saying a “no-deal” scenario was still on the cards.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said negotiators from both sides were working to “bridge the gaps that remain”, as the EU indicated a deal was “difficult but possible” by Friday.
But he added: “Australian WTO (World Trade Organization) exit remains the most likely outcome still.”
Britain formally left the EU at the end of January, but is bound by most of its rules until Dec 31 as the two sides try to agree the terms of their future trading relationship.
However, talks have been gridlocked for months over several key issues, with London and Brussels appearing dug in over their respective stances.
Senior UK minister Michael Gove echoed Johnson’s sombre assessment of sealing an agreement by Dec 31, putting the odds at “less than 50%”.
He also appeared to rule out continuing the negotiations early next year, when Britain would be grappling with a so-called no-deal scenario, as some have speculated could occur.
“That would be it – we would have left on WTO terms,” Gove told a parliamentary committee scrutinising Brexit preparations.
“It’s still the case, of course, that there would be contact between the UK and European nations and politicians, as one would expect.
“But what we would not be doing is attempting to negotiate a new deal, no.”