By Chathushka Perera
London, UK (CWBN)_ It was reported late last night that Chief Brexit Negotiator, David Frost, has informed Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, that a Brexit trade deal could still be finalized within a week, given the availability of a “possible landing zone”, bypassing the deadlock in discussions.
The news arrives after Frost’s unoptimistic statement to the public that a trade deal may not come through before the deadline next month, on Sunday, prior to the commencement of the last round of negotiations this week.
Although Johnson has persisted with regard to a “no deal Brexit”, too many in the UK still look forward to welcoming a trade deal and stronger relationships with allied states, given the country’s economic slump, triggered particularly by the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in mass business closures, rising unemployment and a debt crisis.
While this would debase UK’s relationship with its neighbours and isolate it, a lost trade deal would also mean that the rules of trade will revert to regulations maintained by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which would mean a hike in tariffs and customs delays on any goods or services imported or exported by the UK, would result in the further deformation of its economy.
Irish Prime Minister, Simon Coveney, reiterated that if the UK is unable to come to terms within the next 10 days there is a good chance for “trouble” unless a “major breakthrough” is made.
Irrespective, Secretary of Health, Matt Hancock, stated yesterday that the “red lines haven’t changed”, referencing the UK’s stance on fishing rights and aide rules, and the government is prepared to face what is to come.
Moreover, Downing Street has announced that the negotiations that commenced on Monday have largely pertained to “common draft treaty texts”, amidst differences concerning “key elements”, even as the British Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, George Eustice, recognised the fact that “time is very, very short” during an interview held on Sunday.
Edited by Elishya Perera
