EU member states don't want to be bounced into Boris Johnson's 11-month trade deal timetable.
That's why the latest version of EU leaders' summit conclusions have scaled back promises of speediness.
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That's why the latest version of EU leaders' summit conclusions have scaled back promises of speediness.
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What’s out:
“Negotiations should be organised in a way that makes the best possible use of the limited time....”
Many member states thought sent the wrong signal, that EU was signed up to Boris Johnson’s 11-month timetable.
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“Negotiations should be organised in a way that makes the best possible use of the limited time....”
Many member states thought sent the wrong signal, that EU was signed up to Boris Johnson’s 11-month timetable.
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The EU is still promising to be speedy, but no one is gung-ho about trade deal in 11 mths. Far from it: many dismayed that Johnson has boxed himself in by ruling out extension of transition period. Remember original transition was deemed too short when it was 21 months.
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EU may be counting on Boris Johnson’s flexible principles.
One diplomat says transition extension likely: "Of course Boris said he would rather die in a ditch [the 31 October deadline] he didn’t die in a ditch, but he accepted to go beyond 31 October."
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One diplomat says transition extension likely: "Of course Boris said he would rather die in a ditch [the 31 October deadline] he didn’t die in a ditch, but he accepted to go beyond 31 October."
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What’s in EU doc:
A reference to Level Playing Field. i.e. reminder that UK will have to maintain core EU standards on workers’ rights, environment, state aid and consumer protection, *if* it wants zero trade, zero tariffs on goods.
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A reference to Level Playing Field. i.e. reminder that UK will have to maintain core EU standards on workers’ rights, environment, state aid and consumer protection, *if* it wants zero trade, zero tariffs on goods.
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Of course this is based on the assumption the Conservatives win and push ahead with 31 January Brexit. That’s the EU’s default scenario for now.
Tl.DR No such thing as #GetBrexitDone on 12 December.
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Tl.DR No such thing as #GetBrexitDone on 12 December.
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