Brexit trade talks enter a make-or-break week as negotiators race to get outline of a deal in place 

Brexit trade talks enter a make-or-break week as negotiators race to get outline of a deal in place

  • British and EU teams agreed to extend ‘intensive discussions’ until Wednesday
  • The two sides will then decide whether to continue negotiations in Brussels
  • British sources said the extension of talks showed discussions are progressing 

Brexit trade talks enter a crucial week today as negotiators race to get the outline of an agreement in place.

British and EU teams last night agreed to extend ‘intensive discussions’, which have been taking place in London, until Wednesday. The talks were due to end yesterday. 

The two sides will then decide whether to continue negotiations in Brussels in the second half of the week or walk away.

Brexit trade talks enter a crucial week today as negotiators race to get the outline of an agreement in place

Sources on the British team last night said the extension of talks showed discussions are progressing. 

But they cautioned that there was still a ‘long way to go’ and they remain ‘very far apart’ on the issue of fisheries so a deal may not be reached.

The Government wants to take back control of the country’s waters as it becomes an independent coastal state.

However, France has rejected this idea –although there have been signs that Emmanuel Macron may be preparing to soften his position.

Ireland’s deputy premier Leo Varadkar told RTE Radio yesterday: ‘I am confident there will be a deal. 

Ireland's deputy premier Leo Varadkar told RTE Radio yesterday: 'I am confident there will be a deal'

Ireland’s deputy premier Leo Varadkar told RTE Radio yesterday: ‘I am confident there will be a deal’

‘It’s by no means guaranteed but I think on the balance of probabilities it will be possible to agree a free-trade agreement with the UK.’

Clement Beaune, the French Europe Minister, admitted yesterday that his country had played the Brexit ‘bad cop’ in the talks.

He told Radio J that Emmanuel Macron had been ‘on the front line’ in that fight, hinting other EU leaders should have followed his lead and been less willing to compromise.

‘The Europeans need to be really tough. The President has always been on the front line. We have always been accused of being, to use the English phrase, “the bad cop”,’ he said.

Clement Beaune, the French Europe Minister, admitted yesterday that his country had played the Brexit 'bad cop' in the talks

Clement Beaune, the French Europe Minister, admitted yesterday that his country had played the Brexit ‘bad cop’ in the talks

‘We take full responsibility for that. Because Brexit is an economic and political challenge. If you think you can have your cake and eat it, Europe is meaningless.

‘The Europeans need to learn to rediscover the concept of the balance of power, including with its friends and partners, including with the UK.’

Mr Beaune said he believed an agreement was ‘still possible, even desirable’, adding that he thought both sides could strike a deal by mid-November.