Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke on the telephone with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with Johnson telling her that Brexit trade talks are now in “a serious situation” and that a no-deal outcome is “very likely” unless the EU changes its stance “substantially”.
According to Downing Street the prime minister told von der Leyen “time was very short and it now looked very likely that agreement would not be reached unless the EU position changed substantially”.
The so-called level playing field, comprising fair competition, common rules ,state aid and fishing rights remain the main sticking points to a Brexit agreement.
Mrs von der Leyen said big differences remain, especially over fishing, they will be difficult to bridge but talks would continue on Friday.
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