According to British daily tabloid 'The Daily Mirror', Johnson earns approximately $1,95,000, that is, £1,50,400 and he plans on resigning to leave office as soon as he gets Brexit done and navigating his country through the coronavirus pandemic.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson mulling resignation due to low salary

Britain and the European Union agreed on Monday to intensify trade talks and work on legal texts, a breakthrough of sorts after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would walk away from negotiations that had been deadlocked for weeks.

After a weekend of both sides trading blame for the lack of movement in talks and calling on the other to move first, chief negotiators David Frost and Michel Barnier agreed to a British demand to start working on legal texts to revive the talks.

With just over two months before Britain ends a status quo transition arrangement with the EU, any chance of securing a trade deal was hanging in the balance after both sides called on the other to move first.

It seemed that to find progress, chief negotiators David Frost and Michel Barnier decided to jump together.

"It is the case that my colleague David Frost was in conversation with Michel Barnier and I believe it is the case that Michel Barnier has agreed both to the intensification of talks and also to working on legal texts," Michael Gove, London's point man on the divorce deal, told parliament.

Barnier tweeted: "I just spoke to David Frost ... I confirmed that the EU remains available to intensify talks in London this week, on all subjects, and based on legal texts."

The breakthrough came just as Gove was addressing parliament to again give the EU an ultimatum, that it must fundamentally change its approach to smooth billions of dollars-worth of trade between the neighbours at the end of the year.

Almost immediately, he changed tack saying Barnier's move was constructive and he was looking forward with optimism.

Britain and the European Union agreed on Monday to intensify trade talks and work on legal texts, a breakthrough of sorts after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would walk away from negotiations that had been deadlocked for weeks.

Britain and the European Union agreed on Monday to intensify trade talks and work on legal texts, a breakthrough of sorts after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would walk away from negotiations that had been deadlocked for weeks. After a weekend of both sides trading blame for the lack of movement in talks and calling on the other to move first, chief negotiators David Frost and Michel Barnier agreed to a British demand to start working on legal texts to revive the talks. With just over two months before Britain ends a status quo transition arrangement with the EU, any chance of securing a trade deal was hanging in the balance after both sides called on the other to move first. It seemed that to find progress, chief negotiators David Frost and Michel Barnier decided to jump together. "It is the case that my colleague David Frost was in conversation with Michel Barnier and I believe it is the case that Michel Barnier has agreed both to the intensification of talks and also to working on legal texts," Michael Gove, London's point man on the divorce deal, told parliament. Barnier tweeted: "I just spoke to David Frost ... I confirmed that the EU remains available to intensify talks in London this week, on all subjects, and based on legal texts." The breakthrough came just as Gove was addressing parliament to again give the EU an ultimatum, that it must fundamentally change its approach to smooth billions of dollars-worth of trade between the neighbours at the end of the year. Almost immediately, he changed tack saying Barnier's move was constructive and he was looking forward with optimism.

Brexit breakthrough? UK, European Union agree to intensify trade talks 

The United Kingdom is going to rewite the&nbsp;Internal Market Bill,&nbsp;currently passing through parliament, to&nbsp;to bind Brexit treaty as per&nbsp;Bloomberg news.

Both sides are trying to forge a rudimentary free trade agreement before the end of the year, but the treaty-breaking Brexit bill has become a point of contention and soured relations between the&nbsp;British government and the&nbsp;European Union.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-says-door-remains-ajar-for-post-brexit-trade-deal-336236">UK says door remains 'ajar' for post-Brexit trade deal</a>

The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is&nbsp;now winding its way through parliament&nbsp;and is due to be debated in the House of Lords on Monday.

While Boris Johnson believed that the previous provisions in the bill&nbsp;a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland, the proposed law had&nbsp;infuriated the Europeans who had&nbsp;launched a legal case against the country.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-eu-takes-legal-action-against-uk-over-internal-market-bill-331695">Brexit: EU takes legal action against UK over Internal Market Bill</a>

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the draft bill was a "breach of obligation of good faith" established in the Withdrawal Agreement, and would contradict the protocol of Ireland/Northern Ireland.

However, this&nbsp;step would act as a breakthrough as it would give the British government&nbsp;the right to override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement.

Britain says the bill will not be needed if negotiations on future relations with the EU, notably trade, are successful.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;senior minister Michael Gove said on Sunday he was still hopeful there would be an agreement, telling TV interviews the door remained "ajar" if the EU would change its position.

The United Kingdom is going to rewite the Internal Market Bill, currently passing through parliament, to to bind Brexit treaty as per Bloomberg news. Both sides are trying to forge a rudimentary free trade agreement before the end of the year, but the treaty-breaking Brexit bill has become a point of contention and soured relations between the British government and the European Union.

The United Kingdom is going to rewite the Internal Market Bill, currently passing through parliament, to to bind Brexit treaty as per Bloomberg news. Both sides are trying to forge a rudimentary free trade agreement before the end of the year, but the treaty-breaking Brexit bill has become a point of contention and soured relations between the British government and the European Union. Also read: UK says door remains 'ajar' for post-Brexit trade deal The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is now winding its way through parliament and is due to be debated in the House of Lords on Monday. While Boris Johnson believed that the previous provisions in the bill a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland, the proposed law had infuriated the Europeans who had launched a legal case against the country. Also read| Brexit: EU takes legal action against UK over Internal Market Bill European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the draft bill was a "breach of obligation of good faith" established in the Withdrawal Agreement, and would contradict the protocol of Ireland/Northern Ireland. However, this step would act as a breakthrough as it would give the British government the right to override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement. Britain says the bill will not be needed if negotiations on future relations with the EU, notably trade, are successful. Meanwhile, senior minister Michael Gove said on Sunday he was still hopeful there would be an agreement, telling TV interviews the door remained "ajar" if the EU would change its position.

UK to change provisions in Internal Market Bill to bind Brexit treaty

The British government said on Sunday it still wanted to reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, despite deadlocked talks.

The UK had imposed a deadline of last week's EU summit for a deal &nbsp;and Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was now ready to walk away and prepare for a no-deal exit, after five decades of EU membership.

However, senior minister Michael Gove said on Sunday he was still hopeful there would be an agreement, telling TV interviews the door remained "ajar" if the EU would change its position.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-says-brexit-trade-talks-are-over-unless-eu-shifts-335816">Also read:&nbsp;UK says Brexit trade talks are 'over' unless EU shifts</a>

The two sides disagree on the rules for fair competition, how these rules will be policed and how much access EU fishing fleets will get to UK waters.

Britain wants to reassert sovereignty over its waters and have no EU legal oversight over the deal -- insisting it wants a simple trade deal of the kind the EU signed with Canada.

But the EU says Britain's situation is completely different to that of Canada.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-virus-surges-and-brexit-bears-down-boris-johnson-stalls-for-time-335716">Also read:&nbsp;As virus surges and Brexit bears down, Boris Johnson stalls for time</a>

"I want a deal, I'm keen to conclude one but it takes both sides to compromise in order for there to be one. The EU is not doing so at the moment," Gove told Sky News, adding that the EU did not seem serious in their desire to reach a deal.

Chief European negotiator Michel Barnier and his British counterpart David Frost are due to discuss the structure of talks on Monday, according to the European Commission.

"The ball is in his court," Gove said of Barnier.&nbsp;

Failure to strike a deal would see Britain and Europe revert to World Trade Organization terms, with higher tariffs and quotas, potentially devastating for economies already weakened by the pandemic.

The British government said on Sunday it still wanted to reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, despite deadlocked talks. The UK had imposed a deadline of last week's EU summit for a deal and Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was now ready to walk away and prepare for a no-deal exit, after five decades of EU membership.

The British government said on Sunday it still wanted to reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, despite deadlocked talks. The UK had imposed a deadline of last week's EU summit for a deal and Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was now ready to walk away and prepare for a no-deal exit, after five decades of EU membership. However, senior minister Michael Gove said on Sunday he was still hopeful there would be an agreement, telling TV interviews the door remained "ajar" if the EU would change its position. Also read: UK says Brexit trade talks are 'over' unless EU shifts The two sides disagree on the rules for fair competition, how these rules will be policed and how much access EU fishing fleets will get to UK waters. Britain wants to reassert sovereignty over its waters and have no EU legal oversight over the deal -- insisting it wants a simple trade deal of the kind the EU signed with Canada. But the EU says Britain's situation is completely different to that of Canada. Also read: As virus surges and Brexit bears down, Boris Johnson stalls for time "I want a deal, I'm keen to conclude one but it takes both sides to compromise in order for there to be one. The EU is not doing so at the moment," Gove told Sky News, adding that the EU did not seem serious in their desire to reach a deal. Chief European negotiator Michel Barnier and his British counterpart David Frost are due to discuss the structure of talks on Monday, according to the European Commission. "The ball is in his court," Gove said of Barnier. Failure to strike a deal would see Britain and Europe revert to World Trade Organization terms, with higher tariffs and quotas, potentially devastating for economies already weakened by the pandemic.

UK says door remains 'ajar' for post-Brexit trade deal

Britain on Friday said Brexit trade talks were effectively at an end unless the European Union shifted its position.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson&nbsp;declared Britain should "get ready" for an Australia-style agreement based on World Trade Organization rules from January "unless there is a fundamental change of approach" from Brussels.

Johnson's official spokesman told reporters,&nbsp;"As far as we're concerned, the trade talks are over. The EU have effectively ended them and only if the EU fundamentally shifts its position will it be worth talking."

European Union leaders had agreed&nbsp;a "fair" new partnership with Britain was "worth every effort" but that the bloc would not compromise at any cost and was ready for an abrupt split in trade worth a trillion euros every year.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-chief-warns-uk-must-respect-brexit-withdrawal-deal-325745">European Union chief warns UK must respect Brexit withdrawal deal</a>

Talks have narrowed gaps on issues from social welfare to transport but three contentious areas have so far prevented a deal: fair competition, dispute resolution and&nbsp;fisheries, which is particularly important to France as it&nbsp;has coastal communities that fish in British waters. But Macron said the main priority for EU leaders was to ensure there would be fair competition rules between Britain and the EU.

Johnson accused Brussels of failing to negotiate seriously and, although leaving the door open, indicated he would slam it shut if there was no movement from the EU.

"It's over to the EU now. It can either fundamentally change position or we will leave on Australian terms, under which we will prosper," he added.

"The EU continues to work for a deal, but not at any price," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said around an hour after Johnson's comments, which sent sterling lower.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🇪🇺-🇬🇧 talks: the EU continues to work for a deal, but not at any price. 
 
As planned, our negotiation team will go to London next week to intensify these negotiations.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1317067827518574593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Johnson said earlier on Friday that unless the EU changed course there would be no deal giving British businesses continued free access to the EU's huge single market.

That came after the EU leaders' summit on Thursday put the onus on London to budge in the talks or stand ready for major trade disruptions from 2021.

Britain on Friday said Brexit trade talks were effectively at an end unless the European Union shifted its position. Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared Britain should "get ready" for an Australia-style agreement based on World Trade Organization rules from January "unless there is a fundamental change of approach" from Brussels.

Britain on Friday said Brexit trade talks were effectively at an end unless the European Union shifted its position. Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared Britain should "get ready" for an Australia-style agreement based on World Trade Organization rules from January "unless there is a fundamental change of approach" from Brussels. Johnson's official spokesman told reporters, "As far as we're concerned, the trade talks are over. The EU have effectively ended them and only if the EU fundamentally shifts its position will it be worth talking." European Union leaders had agreed a "fair" new partnership with Britain was "worth every effort" but that the bloc would not compromise at any cost and was ready for an abrupt split in trade worth a trillion euros every year. Also read: European Union chief warns UK must respect Brexit withdrawal deal Talks have narrowed gaps on issues from social welfare to transport but three contentious areas have so far prevented a deal: fair competition, dispute resolution and fisheries, which is particularly important to France as it has coastal communities that fish in British waters. But Macron said the main priority for EU leaders was to ensure there would be fair competition rules between Britain and the EU. Johnson accused Brussels of failing to negotiate seriously and, although leaving the door open, indicated he would slam it shut if there was no movement from the EU. "It's over to the EU now. It can either fundamentally change position or we will leave on Australian terms, under which we will prosper," he added. "The EU continues to work for a deal, but not at any price," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said around an hour after Johnson's comments, which sent sterling lower. 🇪🇺-🇬🇧 talks: the EU continues to work for a deal, but not at any price. As planned, our negotiation team will go to London next week to intensify these negotiations. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 16, 2020 × Johnson said earlier on Friday that unless the EU changed course there would be no deal giving British businesses continued free access to the EU's huge single market. That came after the EU leaders' summit on Thursday put the onus on London to budge in the talks or stand ready for major trade disruptions from 2021.

UK says Brexit trade talks are 'over' unless EU shifts

EU leaders have called for post-Brexit trade talks to continue beyond the end of the week - the deadline suggested by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

EU-UK trade deal post-Brexit: EU leaders stress unity of 27-nation bloc

LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reached a moment of truth on the two issues that have dominated Britain this year: the pandemic and Brexit negotiations with the European Union. But he is still playing for time — a strategy that could put lives or livelihoods at risk if he waits too long.

On Thursday, Johnson inched closer to imposing a second lockdown on the country, moving London to a higher level of restrictions and signaling that he wanted to move Manchester to the highest level, joining Liverpool. But he stuck to his claim that the best way to curb the virus was through targeted responses, not the two-week nationwide lockdown pushed by the opposition Labour Party and his own scientific advisers.

The prime minister also seemed ready to string out trade talks with Brussels, letting a self-imposed deadline pass on Thursday without a deal. While Johnson could torpedo the negotiations on Friday, after a two-day summit meeting of EU leaders, analysts said the British government still appeared eager to strike an agreement by the legal deadline of Dec. 31.

For Johnson, Brexit and the virus are linked: the economic turmoil unleashed by the pandemic has raised the pressure on him to avoid the self-inflicted disruption of a ruptured negotiation with the EU, and the damaging prospect of beginning the new year without a trade agreement in place.

Yet his reluctance to move decisively on either of them, analysts say, risks making both worse.

Dragging out the talks with Brussels could put Britain in a bind if the two sides hit an impasse as the clock runs out. Putting off a short lockdown — which experts have dubbed a “circuit breaker” — could vitiate its effectiveness in curbing the virus’ spread and necessitate a longer lockdown later, according to medical experts.

“If you’re going to do it, do it early, fast and hard,” said Devi Sridhar, chair of the global public health program at the University of Edinburgh. “The longer they delay, the less likely a two-week circuit breaker will work.”

Scientists have proposed that the government schedule the temporary lockdown for the last week of October and first week of November, when schools are closed for midterm break, to make it less disruptive. But some experts questioned whether that would leave enough time to prepare the public for the restrictions.

Britain has missed its chance at earlier action on a midterm lockdown that might have stemmed the latest surge, but it could still be valuable in slowing the spread, said Graham Medley, professor of infectious disease modeling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who advises the government. “We haven’t missed the boat of it epidemiologically as a strategy,” he said.

Britain has recorded about 16,000 new coronavirus cases per day, on average, over the past week — the most since the pandemic began, and a tenfold increase in just six weeks. Nearly 800 people were admitted to hospitals on Thursday, and 563 patients were on ventilators, raising fears that intensive care units will soon be overwhelmed.

The figures have climbed sharply despite an array of new restrictions adopted after government scientists warned last month that without further action, the caseload could reach 50,000 a day by this point.

While the outbreak has been worst in the north and west of England, there are signs that it is spreading across the country. The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, pressed the government to raise the city’s status to a high alert level, which prohibits indoor socializing by people from different households, as of Saturday.

But other mayors lashed out against the restrictions. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, rejected the move to elevate his city to the highest-risk tier, which involves closing pubs and gyms. Burnham, who like Khan is a member of the Labour Party, demanded that the government provide more financial aid to pubs and other businesses that he said would be devastated by the lockdown.

“We will not cave into all the pressure that is being applied to us,” the mayor said in an angry video posted on Twitter. “We will not let them be leveled down by this government through this pandemic.”

For weeks now, Johnson has balanced calls from his scientific advisers for tighter measures with warnings from members of his Conservative Party that a lockdown or similarly draconian measures would wreck the economy.

The political consensus that once characterized Britain’s response to the pandemic has now fractured in both parties, however. The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, threw his weight behind a temporary lockdown, while Johnson remains at odds not only with members of his party but also with some in his Cabinet: the popular chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, is resisting the push for a lockdown.

“We are effectively burning the furniture to keep warm now,” said Steve Baker, a Conservative lawmaker and one of the leaders of a campaign for Parliament to have a greater say over coronavirus rules. “If we have to continue like that for another three to six months until there is a vaccine, that poses grave risks to the economy.”

Adding to the pressure on Johnson, public-opinion surveys show clear support in the British public for stricter measures, up to and including a “circuit breaker” — though Britons are split about a lengthier lockdown.

By embracing the idea, analysts said, Starmer had effectively boxed in Johnson.

“If the prime minister moves toward a national lockdown, that will look like he’s changed his mind and moved toward Keir Starmer,” said Keiran Pedley, director of politics at Ipsos/MORI, a polling company. “If he doesn’t, then Labour will presumably say in response to any bad news, ‘You should have listened to us.’ From a political situation, Keir Starmer doesn’t face much risk.”

However treacherous the political landscape for Johnson, the Labour Party’s call for a lockdown might actually strengthen the prime minister’s hand with his own party in the short term. Johnson’s Conservative critics, some observers say, may realize that with public opinion and the opposition running against them, they cannot hope for more than the prime minister’s efforts to seek a middle ground.

“It is dawning on them that this is as good as you are going to get,” said David Gauke, a Conservative former lawmaker who fell out with Johnson over Brexit. “No prime minister is going to be more libertarian than Boris Johnson in this particular set of circumstances.”

This time last year, Johnson faced down resistance by Baker and his hard-line allies on Brexit. He did it by talking tough with Brussels and then cutting a deal that he presented as a triumph — a playbook he appears to be trying to use again.

Johnson’s aides insist a trade agreement is within reach if talks can be intensified on the key issues: fishing quotas and state aid to industry. But the longer they drag on, the greater the uncertainty for British exporters — and the greater the leverage for Brussels.

LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reached a moment of truth on the two issues that have dominated Britain this year: the pandemic and Brexit negotiations with the European Union.

LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reached a moment of truth on the two issues that have dominated Britain this year: the pandemic and Brexit negotiations with the European Union. But he is still playing for time — a strategy that could put lives or livelihoods at risk if he waits too long. On Thursday, Johnson inched closer to imposing a second lockdown on the country, moving London to a higher level of restrictions and signaling that he wanted to move Manchester to the highest level, joining Liverpool. But he stuck to his claim that the best way to curb the virus was through targeted responses, not the two-week nationwide lockdown pushed by the opposition Labour Party and his own scientific advisers. The prime minister also seemed ready to string out trade talks with Brussels, letting a self-imposed deadline pass on Thursday without a deal. While Johnson could torpedo the negotiations on Friday, after a two-day summit meeting of EU leaders, analysts said the British government still appeared eager to strike an agreement by the legal deadline of Dec. 31. For Johnson, Brexit and the virus are linked: the economic turmoil unleashed by the pandemic has raised the pressure on him to avoid the self-inflicted disruption of a ruptured negotiation with the EU, and the damaging prospect of beginning the new year without a trade agreement in place. Yet his reluctance to move decisively on either of them, analysts say, risks making both worse. Dragging out the talks with Brussels could put Britain in a bind if the two sides hit an impasse as the clock runs out. Putting off a short lockdown — which experts have dubbed a “circuit breaker” — could vitiate its effectiveness in curbing the virus’ spread and necessitate a longer lockdown later, according to medical experts. “If you’re going to do it, do it early, fast and hard,” said Devi Sridhar, chair of the global public health program at the University of Edinburgh. “The longer they delay, the less likely a two-week circuit breaker will work.” Scientists have proposed that the government schedule the temporary lockdown for the last week of October and first week of November, when schools are closed for midterm break, to make it less disruptive. But some experts questioned whether that would leave enough time to prepare the public for the restrictions. Britain has missed its chance at earlier action on a midterm lockdown that might have stemmed the latest surge, but it could still be valuable in slowing the spread, said Graham Medley, professor of infectious disease modeling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who advises the government. “We haven’t missed the boat of it epidemiologically as a strategy,” he said. Britain has recorded about 16,000 new coronavirus cases per day, on average, over the past week — the most since the pandemic began, and a tenfold increase in just six weeks. Nearly 800 people were admitted to hospitals on Thursday, and 563 patients were on ventilators, raising fears that intensive care units will soon be overwhelmed. The figures have climbed sharply despite an array of new restrictions adopted after government scientists warned last month that without further action, the caseload could reach 50,000 a day by this point. While the outbreak has been worst in the north and west of England, there are signs that it is spreading across the country. The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, pressed the government to raise the city’s status to a high alert level, which prohibits indoor socializing by people from different households, as of Saturday. But other mayors lashed out against the restrictions. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, rejected the move to elevate his city to the highest-risk tier, which involves closing pubs and gyms. Burnham, who like Khan is a member of the Labour Party, demanded that the government provide more financial aid to pubs and other businesses that he said would be devastated by the lockdown. “We will not cave into all the pressure that is being applied to us,” the mayor said in an angry video posted on Twitter. “We will not let them be leveled down by this government through this pandemic.” For weeks now, Johnson has balanced calls from his scientific advisers for tighter measures with warnings from members of his Conservative Party that a lockdown or similarly draconian measures would wreck the economy. The political consensus that once characterized Britain’s response to the pandemic has now fractured in both parties, however. The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, threw his weight behind a temporary lockdown, while Johnson remains at odds not only with members of his party but also with some in his Cabinet: the popular chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, is resisting the push for a lockdown. “We are effectively burning the furniture to keep warm now,” said Steve Baker, a Conservative lawmaker and one of the leaders of a campaign for Parliament to have a greater say over coronavirus rules. “If we have to continue like that for another three to six months until there is a vaccine, that poses grave risks to the economy.” Adding to the pressure on Johnson, public-opinion surveys show clear support in the British public for stricter measures, up to and including a “circuit breaker” — though Britons are split about a lengthier lockdown. By embracing the idea, analysts said, Starmer had effectively boxed in Johnson. “If the prime minister moves toward a national lockdown, that will look like he’s changed his mind and moved toward Keir Starmer,” said Keiran Pedley, director of politics at Ipsos/MORI, a polling company. “If he doesn’t, then Labour will presumably say in response to any bad news, ‘You should have listened to us.’ From a political situation, Keir Starmer doesn’t face much risk.” However treacherous the political landscape for Johnson, the Labour Party’s call for a lockdown might actually strengthen the prime minister’s hand with his own party in the short term. Johnson’s Conservative critics, some observers say, may realize that with public opinion and the opposition running against them, they cannot hope for more than the prime minister’s efforts to seek a middle ground. “It is dawning on them that this is as good as you are going to get,” said David Gauke, a Conservative former lawmaker who fell out with Johnson over Brexit. “No prime minister is going to be more libertarian than Boris Johnson in this particular set of circumstances.” This time last year, Johnson faced down resistance by Baker and his hard-line allies on Brexit. He did it by talking tough with Brussels and then cutting a deal that he presented as a triumph — a playbook he appears to be trying to use again. Johnson’s aides insist a trade agreement is within reach if talks can be intensified on the key issues: fishing quotas and state aid to industry. But the longer they drag on, the greater the uncertainty for British exporters — and the greater the leverage for Brussels.

As virus surges and Brexit bears down, Boris Johnson stalls for time

The&nbsp;European Union leaders on Thursday&nbsp;refused&nbsp;to ''compromise at any cost'' on Brexit with the United Kingdom.

However, agreeing upon a fair trade with Britain, EU said it is ready for an abrupt split in trade worth a trillion euros every year.

Meeting face-to-face for only the third time in the coronavirus pandemic, the EU leaders wore masks and kept their distance as they gathered in Brussels to discuss Brexit, where a new trade pact is still elusive as an year-end deadline nears.

"We want a deal, but obviously not at any price. It has to be a fair agreement that serves the interests of both sides. This is worth every effort," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Britain left the EU in January and the estranged allies have since been locked in complex negotiations to try and keep trading without tariffs or quotas from 2021.

Talks have narrowed gaps on issues from social welfare to transport but three contentious areas have so far prevented a deal: fair competition, dispute resolution and fisheries, which is particularly important to France.

"In no case shall our fishermen be sacrificed for Brexit," French President Emmanuel Macron said on arriving in Brussels.

"If these conditions are not met, it's possible we won't have a deal. If the right terms can't be found at the end of these discussions, we're ready for a no-deal for our future relations," he added.

With businesses and markets increasingly jittery as the deadline nears, Thursday's EU summit is to approve extending the negotiations with a demand for Britain to budge, as well as stepping up contingency plans for an abrupt split.

Ireland, the EU member most exposed to a chaotic rupture, said smooth post-Brexit trade between the world's sixth largest economy and biggest trading bloc was still possible and even more essential given the economic havoc of the COVID-19 crisis.

"Where there is a will there's a way," Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin told EU leaders meeting in Brussels.

"With COVID-19 having such a devastating impact on society and on the economies in the United Kingdom and across Europe obviously leaders will not want to hit citizens with a shock a no-deal would represent."

'CRAZY'

The pandemic has thrust Europe into unprecedented recession and many nations are tightening restrictions again to combat a second infection wave sweeping the continent as winter looms.

Given the economic malaise and global instability, it would be "crazy" if the estranged allies failed to agree, said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said Britain would reflect on the Brussels meeting before deciding next steps. "We've always been clear that a negotiated outcome is our preference," he said.

Many on financial markets expect a thin deal by early November, though after several more weeks of drama.

The EU has warned it will not leave fishing rights to last and that they must be part of a wider deal together with issues like financial services where London has a weaker hand.

The sides are also far apart on fair competition safeguards covering social, labour and environment standards, as well as state aid.

Britain wants to be able to regulate its own corporate subsidies freely in the future, while the EU seeks to lock in joint rules.

Otherwise, the bloc says Britain cannot have free access to its cherished single market of 450 million consumers.

The European Union leaders on Thursday refused to ''compromise at any cost'' on Brexit with the United Kingdom. However, agreeing upon a fair trade with Britain, EU said it is ready for an abrupt split in trade worth a trillion euros every year.

The European Union leaders on Thursday refused to ''compromise at any cost'' on Brexit with the United Kingdom. However, agreeing upon a fair trade with Britain, EU said it is ready for an abrupt split in trade worth a trillion euros every year. Meeting face-to-face for only the third time in the coronavirus pandemic, the EU leaders wore masks and kept their distance as they gathered in Brussels to discuss Brexit, where a new trade pact is still elusive as an year-end deadline nears. "We want a deal, but obviously not at any price. It has to be a fair agreement that serves the interests of both sides. This is worth every effort," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Britain left the EU in January and the estranged allies have since been locked in complex negotiations to try and keep trading without tariffs or quotas from 2021. Talks have narrowed gaps on issues from social welfare to transport but three contentious areas have so far prevented a deal: fair competition, dispute resolution and fisheries, which is particularly important to France. "In no case shall our fishermen be sacrificed for Brexit," French President Emmanuel Macron said on arriving in Brussels. "If these conditions are not met, it's possible we won't have a deal. If the right terms can't be found at the end of these discussions, we're ready for a no-deal for our future relations," he added. With businesses and markets increasingly jittery as the deadline nears, Thursday's EU summit is to approve extending the negotiations with a demand for Britain to budge, as well as stepping up contingency plans for an abrupt split. Ireland, the EU member most exposed to a chaotic rupture, said smooth post-Brexit trade between the world's sixth largest economy and biggest trading bloc was still possible and even more essential given the economic havoc of the COVID-19 crisis. "Where there is a will there's a way," Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin told EU leaders meeting in Brussels. "With COVID-19 having such a devastating impact on society and on the economies in the United Kingdom and across Europe obviously leaders will not want to hit citizens with a shock a no-deal would represent." 'CRAZY' The pandemic has thrust Europe into unprecedented recession and many nations are tightening restrictions again to combat a second infection wave sweeping the continent as winter looms. Given the economic malaise and global instability, it would be "crazy" if the estranged allies failed to agree, said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said Britain would reflect on the Brussels meeting before deciding next steps. "We've always been clear that a negotiated outcome is our preference," he said. Many on financial markets expect a thin deal by early November, though after several more weeks of drama. The EU has warned it will not leave fishing rights to last and that they must be part of a wider deal together with issues like financial services where London has a weaker hand. The sides are also far apart on fair competition safeguards covering social, labour and environment standards, as well as state aid. Britain wants to be able to regulate its own corporate subsidies freely in the future, while the EU seeks to lock in joint rules. Otherwise, the bloc says Britain cannot have free access to its cherished single market of 450 million consumers.

European Union refuses to 'compromise at any cost' on Brexit with UK

The&nbsp;European Union demanded "substantive" movement on Tuesday from Britain on fisheries, dispute settlement and guarantees of fair competition in their talks on a post-Brexit trade deal, with Germany saying they were at a "critical stage".

France said the 27-nation bloc must not yield on fishing rights, while Ireland - the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;member most exposed to any abrupt economic split at the end of the year - said Britain was running out of time to seal the terms of a deal.

Britain, the world's sixth-biggest economy, left the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;in January and has since been locked in painstaking talks with the world's largest trading bloc to keep trade flowing freely.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/business-economy/eu-wins-tariff-clearance-on-4-billion-of-us-imports-in-boeing-case-335072" hreflang="en">EU wins tariff clearance on $4 billion of US imports in Boeing case</a>

EU&nbsp;leaders hold a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to assess progress, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also said he wants to know by Oct. 15 if a deal can be reached.

The&nbsp;European affairs minister of Germany - current holder of the bloc's rotating presidency - said the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;was working hard for a deal but was ready if necessary to trade from 2021 without an accord.

"We are at a very critical stage in the negotiations and we are extremely under pressure," Michael Roth told his 26 fellow ministers. "In terms of substance we have not really made progress."

"We expect substantial progress by our friends in the United Kingdom in key areas: in particular on governance, 'level playing field' and fisheries."

Roth said the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;would step up contingency planning in case of failure in the negotiations on a new partnership - which is meant to cover many areas from trade to transport and nuclear ties - from Jan. 1, when London's post-Brexit standstill transition ends.

A trillion&nbsp;euros of annual trade are at stake.

Johnson's spokesman reiterated Britain's stance that it wants a deal "on the right terms": "... if we can't get there we are ready and willing to move forward with an Australian-style outcome which holds no fear."

The bulk of Australia's exports to the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;are subject to tariffs and quotas set under World Trade Organization terms.

LONG ROAD, LITTLE TIME

Johnson, a key face of the 2016 Brexit campaign, has spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in recent days, and was due to speak on Wednesday with the head of the&nbsp;EU's executive, Ursula von der Leyen.

On Tuesday, Merkel said a deal was "in the interests of all" but also flagged the need to prepare for a no-deal outcome.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/eu-unity-on-getting-a-fair-brexit-deal-strong-says-chief-negotiator-barnier-334978" hreflang="en">EU unity on getting a fair Brexit deal strong, says chief negotiator Barnier</a>

The&nbsp;EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has been downbeat in his assessment of progress, an&nbsp;EU&nbsp;diplomat said: "It is far from sufficient. 'Level playing field', fisheries and enforcement measures remain the key controversial issues."

France has shown little willingness to compromise over future access to fishing waters and sharing quotas, despite growing pressure from others in the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;to help unlock a deal.

French&nbsp;Europe Minister Clement Beaune said the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;must be "very firm" on its priorities, and that safeguards of fair competition were a must to access the&nbsp;EU's internal market of 450 million people without trade barriers.

Macron is expected to hammer home that message at the summit. But, with markets increasingly jittery, the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;leaders also appear certain to grant Britain time for more talks.

"The road ahead is still long and we have little time," said another&nbsp;EU&nbsp;diplomat.

The&nbsp;EU&nbsp;says a deal must be agreed this month to leave time for ratification by the&nbsp;European Parliament. However,&nbsp;EU&nbsp;diplomats told Reuters the bloc was gearing up to negotiate until mid-November to avoid being assigned blame for any fiasco.

"We will negotiate until the last minute," said Konrad Szymanski,&nbsp;European affairs minister of Poland, one of the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;states most keen to keep close ties with Britain.

The European Union demanded "substantive" movement on Tuesday from Britain on fisheries, dispute settlement and guarantees of fair competition in their talks on a post-Brexit trade deal, with Germany saying they were at a "critical stage".

The European Union demanded "substantive" movement on Tuesday from Britain on fisheries, dispute settlement and guarantees of fair competition in their talks on a post-Brexit trade deal, with Germany saying they were at a "critical stage". France said the 27-nation bloc must not yield on fishing rights, while Ireland - the EU member most exposed to any abrupt economic split at the end of the year - said Britain was running out of time to seal the terms of a deal. Britain, the world's sixth-biggest economy, left the EU in January and has since been locked in painstaking talks with the world's largest trading bloc to keep trade flowing freely. Also read: EU wins tariff clearance on $4 billion of US imports in Boeing case EU leaders hold a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to assess progress, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also said he wants to know by Oct. 15 if a deal can be reached. The European affairs minister of Germany - current holder of the bloc's rotating presidency - said the EU was working hard for a deal but was ready if necessary to trade from 2021 without an accord. "We are at a very critical stage in the negotiations and we are extremely under pressure," Michael Roth told his 26 fellow ministers. "In terms of substance we have not really made progress." "We expect substantial progress by our friends in the United Kingdom in key areas: in particular on governance, 'level playing field' and fisheries." Roth said the EU would step up contingency planning in case of failure in the negotiations on a new partnership - which is meant to cover many areas from trade to transport and nuclear ties - from Jan. 1, when London's post-Brexit standstill transition ends. A trillion euros of annual trade are at stake. Johnson's spokesman reiterated Britain's stance that it wants a deal "on the right terms": "... if we can't get there we are ready and willing to move forward with an Australian-style outcome which holds no fear." The bulk of Australia's exports to the EU are subject to tariffs and quotas set under World Trade Organization terms. LONG ROAD, LITTLE TIME Johnson, a key face of the 2016 Brexit campaign, has spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in recent days, and was due to speak on Wednesday with the head of the EU's executive, Ursula von der Leyen. On Tuesday, Merkel said a deal was "in the interests of all" but also flagged the need to prepare for a no-deal outcome. Also read: EU unity on getting a fair Brexit deal strong, says chief negotiator Barnier The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has been downbeat in his assessment of progress, an EU diplomat said: "It is far from sufficient. 'Level playing field', fisheries and enforcement measures remain the key controversial issues." France has shown little willingness to compromise over future access to fishing waters and sharing quotas, despite growing pressure from others in the EU to help unlock a deal. French Europe Minister Clement Beaune said the EU must be "very firm" on its priorities, and that safeguards of fair competition were a must to access the EU's internal market of 450 million people without trade barriers. Macron is expected to hammer home that message at the summit. But, with markets increasingly jittery, the EU leaders also appear certain to grant Britain time for more talks. "The road ahead is still long and we have little time," said another EU diplomat. The EU says a deal must be agreed this month to leave time for ratification by the European Parliament. However, EU diplomats told Reuters the bloc was gearing up to negotiate until mid-November to avoid being assigned blame for any fiasco. "We will negotiate until the last minute," said Konrad Szymanski, European affairs minister of Poland, one of the EU states most keen to keep close ties with Britain.

EU pushes UK to budge at 'critical stage' in Brexit talks

The European Union’s chief negotiator on Tuesday claimed that the bloc’s unity on Brexit remains strong, and the member countries are working together to ensure a fair deal, which will define the route of EU’s relationship with the United Kingdom in the future.

"Strong EU unity confirmed ahead of European Council," Michel Barnier tweeted after a European Affairs ministers briefing in Luxembourg. "The EU will continue to work for a fair deal in the coming days and weeks”, Barnier added.

On October 9, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that&nbsp;Brexit negotiations with the European Union had made progress in some areas.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/british-prime-minister-boris-johnson-says-progress-in-brexit-talks-with-eu-334002" hreflang="en">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says progress in Brexit talks with EU</a>

The two sides say they are inching towards a deal that would govern around $900 billion in trade after December&nbsp;31,&nbsp;when the current transitional arrangements end, though sticking points remain on fishing, level playing field issues and governance.

Britain's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Monday&nbsp;that the clauses of the Internal Market Bill that undercut the Withdrawal Treaty would remain, despite a demand from the European Union that London scrap them.

The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is&nbsp;now winding its way through parliament and would override parts of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year.

Johnson argues it will provide a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland,&nbsp;although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uk-pm-johnson-optimistic-over-brexit-deal-ahead-of-talks-with-eu-chief-332232" hreflang="en">UK PM Johnson 'optimistic' over Brexit deal ahead of talks with EU chief</a>

The proposed law has infuriated EU members, who had demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week,&nbsp;but, after his meeting in Brussels with Sefcovic, Gove insisted it would not be changed.

Both London and Brussels say a deal on a free trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for it to be ratified before coming into force from January 1 next year.

Failure to do so would see trade conducted on World Trade Organization rules, with higher tariffs and quotas and almost certain economic chaos for Britain and Europe.

The European Union’s chief negotiator on Tuesday claimed that the bloc’s unity on Brexit remains strong, and the member countries are working together to ensure a fair deal, which will define the route of EU’s relationship with the United Kingdom in the future.

The European Union’s chief negotiator on Tuesday claimed that the bloc’s unity on Brexit remains strong, and the member countries are working together to ensure a fair deal, which will define the route of EU’s relationship with the United Kingdom in the future. "Strong EU unity confirmed ahead of European Council," Michel Barnier tweeted after a European Affairs ministers briefing in Luxembourg. "The EU will continue to work for a fair deal in the coming days and weeks”, Barnier added. On October 9, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Brexit negotiations with the European Union had made progress in some areas. Also read: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says progress in Brexit talks with EU The two sides say they are inching towards a deal that would govern around $900 billion in trade after December 31, when the current transitional arrangements end, though sticking points remain on fishing, level playing field issues and governance. Britain's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Monday that the clauses of the Internal Market Bill that undercut the Withdrawal Treaty would remain, despite a demand from the European Union that London scrap them. The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is now winding its way through parliament and would override parts of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year. Johnson argues it will provide a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland, although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law. Also read: UK PM Johnson 'optimistic' over Brexit deal ahead of talks with EU chief The proposed law has infuriated EU members, who had demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week, but, after his meeting in Brussels with Sefcovic, Gove insisted it would not be changed. Both London and Brussels say a deal on a free trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for it to be ratified before coming into force from January 1 next year. Failure to do so would see trade conducted on World Trade Organization rules, with higher tariffs and quotas and almost certain economic chaos for Britain and Europe.

EU unity on getting a fair Brexit deal strong, says chief negotiator Barnier

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that&nbsp;Brexit negotiations with the European Union this week have made progress in some areas.

The two sides say they are inching towards a deal that would govern around $900 billion in trade after December&nbsp;31,&nbsp;when the current transitional arrangements end, though sticking points remain on fishing, level playing field issues and governance.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-provisions-to-stay-in-internal-market-bill-as-uk-shows-no-indication-of-withdrawal-330985">Brexit provisions to stay in Internal Market Bill as UK shows 'no indication' of withdrawal</a>

Britain's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Monday&nbsp;that the clauses of the Internal Market Bill that undercut the Withdrawal Treaty would remain, despite a demand from the European Union that London scrap them.

The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is&nbsp;now winding its way through parliament and would override parts of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year.

Johnson argues it will provide a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland,&nbsp;although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-us-uk-trade-deal-if-brexit-risks-northern-irish-peace-deal-biden-to-johnson-328182">No US-UK trade deal if Brexit risks Northern Irish peace deal: Biden to Johnson</a>

The proposed law has infuriated the Europeans, who had demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week,&nbsp;but, after his meeting in Brussels with Sefcovic, Gove insisted it would not be changed.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Both London and Brussels say a deal on a free trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for it to be ratified before coming into force from January 1 next year.

Failure to do so would see trade conducted on World Trade Organization rules, with higher tariffs and quotas and almost certain economic chaos for Britain and Europe.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that Brexit negotiations with the European Union this week have made progress in some areas. The two sides say they are inching towards a deal that would govern around $900 billion in trade after December 31, when the current transitional arrangements end, though sticking points remain on fishing, level playing field issues and governance.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that Brexit negotiations with the European Union this week have made progress in some areas. The two sides say they are inching towards a deal that would govern around $900 billion in trade after December 31, when the current transitional arrangements end, though sticking points remain on fishing, level playing field issues and governance. Also read: Brexit provisions to stay in Internal Market Bill as UK shows 'no indication' of withdrawal Britain's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Monday that the clauses of the Internal Market Bill that undercut the Withdrawal Treaty would remain, despite a demand from the European Union that London scrap them. The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is now winding its way through parliament and would override parts of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year. Johnson argues it will provide a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland, although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law. Also read: No US-UK trade deal if Brexit risks Northern Irish peace deal: Biden to Johnson The proposed law has infuriated the Europeans, who had demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week, but, after his meeting in Brussels with Sefcovic, Gove insisted it would not be changed. Both London and Brussels say a deal on a free trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for it to be ratified before coming into force from January 1 next year. Failure to do so would see trade conducted on World Trade Organization rules, with higher tariffs and quotas and almost certain economic chaos for Britain and Europe.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says progress in Brexit talks with EU

As the deadline for the Brexit deal approaches British PM Boris Johnson has expressed his optimism that the deal will come through. Watch report.

The Brexit Deal: Will Britain crash out of single market with no deal

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was optimistic that a Brexit deal could be reached as he prepared for talks on Saturday with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to determine the next steps in the fraught negotiations.

The comments came&nbsp;ahead of a videoconference with von der Leyen to take stock of progress made in the latest round of talks.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Johnson said the prospects of a year-end deal to avoid an abrupt Brexit separation "are very good if everybody just exercises some common sense and looks at the deal that is there to be done".&nbsp;

British and EU negotiators said Friday trade discussions remained deadlocked on key areas, with London urging Brussels to give ground to avoid a damaging "no-deal" at the end of the year.

Both sides have pinpointed a European summit on October 15 as the latest an agreement could be reached for it to be ratified in time for it take effect at the end of December.

But von der Leyen has already warned against a deal "at any price".

After the ninth round of talks in the tortuous process broke up in Brussels, with renewed commitments to find a way out of the impasse, there was clear acknowledgement the clock was ticking.

Despite indicating there were signs of agreement in a number of areas, UK negotiator David Frost warned disagreements over competition rules and fishing may be "impossible" to overcome without the EU giving ground.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she believed a deal was still possible, though she said that the next days would be crucial.

The von der Leyen and Johnson call also follows the launch of legal action by Brussels in response to the British government's attempt to overturn parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

On Tuesday, British MPs backed a bill to regulate the UK's internal market from January 1, when Britain completes its post-Brexit transition period and leaves the EU single market and customs union.

Johnson has pushed on with the legislation despite concerns in his own party and a warning from Washington that it puts Irish peace at risk.

(with inputs)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was optimistic that a Brexit deal could be reached as he prepared for talks on Saturday with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to determine the next steps in the fraught negotiations.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was optimistic that a Brexit deal could be reached as he prepared for talks on Saturday with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to determine the next steps in the fraught negotiations. The comments came ahead of a videoconference with von der Leyen to take stock of progress made in the latest round of talks. According to The Daily Telegraph, Johnson said the prospects of a year-end deal to avoid an abrupt Brexit separation "are very good if everybody just exercises some common sense and looks at the deal that is there to be done". British and EU negotiators said Friday trade discussions remained deadlocked on key areas, with London urging Brussels to give ground to avoid a damaging "no-deal" at the end of the year. Both sides have pinpointed a European summit on October 15 as the latest an agreement could be reached for it to be ratified in time for it take effect at the end of December. But von der Leyen has already warned against a deal "at any price". After the ninth round of talks in the tortuous process broke up in Brussels, with renewed commitments to find a way out of the impasse, there was clear acknowledgement the clock was ticking. Despite indicating there were signs of agreement in a number of areas, UK negotiator David Frost warned disagreements over competition rules and fishing may be "impossible" to overcome without the EU giving ground. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she believed a deal was still possible, though she said that the next days would be crucial. The von der Leyen and Johnson call also follows the launch of legal action by Brussels in response to the British government's attempt to overturn parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement. On Tuesday, British MPs backed a bill to regulate the UK's internal market from January 1, when Britain completes its post-Brexit transition period and leaves the EU single market and customs union. Johnson has pushed on with the legislation despite concerns in his own party and a warning from Washington that it puts Irish peace at risk. (with inputs)

UK PM Johnson 'optimistic' over Brexit deal ahead of talks with EU chief

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday threw the onus back on the European Union to unblock a trade deal and avoid an abrupt Brexit separation at the end of this year. 
 
"I hope that we get a deal, it's up to our friends," he told the BBC, after the two sides concluded a week of talks with warnings that serious differences were holding up agreement by a mid-October deadline. 
 
"They've done a (free trade) deal with Canada of a kind that we want, why shouldn't they do it with us?" Johnson said. 
 
"We're so near, we've been (EU) members for 45 years. It's all there, it's just up to them," he added, insisting there was "every chance to get a deal" if the EU were "common-sensical".

The British government is concerned&nbsp;that time was running out for a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union before a mid-October deadline.

Britain's chief negotiator David Frost said on Friday&nbsp;"outlines of an agreement are visible" in many areas but there was "limited progress" on fair competition and state subsidy rules, and a deal on fisheries looked "impossible" without EU movement.

"I am concerned that there is very little time now to resolve these issues ahead of the European Council (EU summit) on 15 October," he added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-eu-takes-legal-action-against-uk-over-internal-market-bill-331695" hreflang="en">Brexit: EU takes legal action against UK over Internal Market Bill</a>

The European Union launched a legal case against the United Kingdom on Thursday for undercutting their earlier divorce deal and a senior UK minister said differences remained in talks on a post-Brexit&nbsp;trade agreement.

Controversy over the UK's new Internal Market Bill has thrown the tortuous&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;process into a fresh crisis while disagreements over corporate subsidies, fisheries and ways to solve disputes are overshadowing parallel trade negotiations.

"We had invited our British friends to remove the problematic parts of their draft Internal Market Bill by the end of September," the head of the EU's executive Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said. "The deadline lapsed yesterday."

With London not budging, she said the Commission started a so-called infringement, an EU legal procedure against countries that violate the bloc's laws, while continuing to work towards implementing the divorce deal, or Withdrawal Agreement.

he United Kingdom says its nations cannot trade freely with each other after&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;if there is no new trade deal with the EU without breaking the divorce deal provisions on the sensitive Irish border. A government spokesman said on Thursday it had made that clear.

The EU is adamant, however, that it would not implement any new UK deal as long as London undermines the divorce treaty.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday threw the onus back on the European Union to unblock a trade deal and avoid an abrupt Brexit separation at the end of this year.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday threw the onus back on the European Union to unblock a trade deal and avoid an abrupt Brexit separation at the end of this year. "I hope that we get a deal, it's up to our friends," he told the BBC, after the two sides concluded a week of talks with warnings that serious differences were holding up agreement by a mid-October deadline. "They've done a (free trade) deal with Canada of a kind that we want, why shouldn't they do it with us?" Johnson said. "We're so near, we've been (EU) members for 45 years. It's all there, it's just up to them," he added, insisting there was "every chance to get a deal" if the EU were "common-sensical". The British government is concerned that time was running out for a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union before a mid-October deadline. Britain's chief negotiator David Frost said on Friday "outlines of an agreement are visible" in many areas but there was "limited progress" on fair competition and state subsidy rules, and a deal on fisheries looked "impossible" without EU movement. "I am concerned that there is very little time now to resolve these issues ahead of the European Council (EU summit) on 15 October," he added. Also read: Brexit: EU takes legal action against UK over Internal Market Bill The European Union launched a legal case against the United Kingdom on Thursday for undercutting their earlier divorce deal and a senior UK minister said differences remained in talks on a post-Brexit trade agreement. Controversy over the UK's new Internal Market Bill has thrown the tortuous Brexit process into a fresh crisis while disagreements over corporate subsidies, fisheries and ways to solve disputes are overshadowing parallel trade negotiations. "We had invited our British friends to remove the problematic parts of their draft Internal Market Bill by the end of September," the head of the EU's executive Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said. "The deadline lapsed yesterday." With London not budging, she said the Commission started a so-called infringement, an EU legal procedure against countries that violate the bloc's laws, while continuing to work towards implementing the divorce deal, or Withdrawal Agreement. he United Kingdom says its nations cannot trade freely with each other after Brexit if there is no new trade deal with the EU without breaking the divorce deal provisions on the sensitive Irish border. A government spokesman said on Thursday it had made that clear. The EU is adamant, however, that it would not implement any new UK deal as long as London undermines the divorce treaty.

UK PM Johnson says Brexit trade deal 'up to European Union'

The&nbsp;European Union on Thursday&nbsp;launched a legal case against Britain over its new Internal Market Bill that would breach parts of the legally binding divorce agreement the two sides reached late last year.

The&nbsp;action underscored EU's worsening relations with Britain, which was a member of the bloc until January 31.

Both sides are trying to forge a rudimentary free trade agreement before the end of the year, but the fight over the controversial UK Internal Market bill has soured relations this month.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-bill-would-break-international-law-in-a-specific-and-limited-way-minister-says-326041">UK bill would break international law 'in a specific and limited way', minister says</a>

The EU had given London until Wednesday to withdraw the bill but instead UK&nbsp;lawmakers voted 340-256 Tuesday to push the legislation past its last major House of Commons hurdle.

It must also be approved by the House of Lords, where it is sure to meet strong opposition because it breaches international law. 
At the same time, EU and UK officials were continuing talks on a trade deal, going into detailed negotiations over everything from fisheries rights, state aid rules and legal oversight in case of disputes.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-provisions-to-stay-in-internal-market-bill-as-uk-shows-no-indication-of-withdrawal-330985">Brexit provisions to stay in Internal Market Bill as UK shows 'no indication' of withdrawal</a>

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the draft bill was a "breach of obligation of good faith" established in the Withdrawal Agreement, and would contradict the protocol of Ireland/Northern Ireland.

Such so-called infringements could lead to hefty fines being imposed by the&nbsp;EU's top court but that takes years, leaving plenty of time for the UK to change tack.

London now has one month now to reply to a formal letter of complaint from the Commission, which will then assess whether the answer is satisfactory and can then request that the UK falls back in line. If that fails, it can sue at the Luxembourg-based&nbsp;European Court of Justice.

The move comes as British and&nbsp;EU&nbsp;negotiators struggle to close the gap on state aid in parallel trade negotiations that have been overshadowed by the new controversy over the Internal Market Bill.

The European Union on Thursday launched a legal case against Britain over its new Internal Market Bill that would breach parts of the legally binding divorce agreement the two sides reached late last year.

The European Union on Thursday launched a legal case against Britain over its new Internal Market Bill that would breach parts of the legally binding divorce agreement the two sides reached late last year. The action underscored EU's worsening relations with Britain, which was a member of the bloc until January 31. Both sides are trying to forge a rudimentary free trade agreement before the end of the year, but the fight over the controversial UK Internal Market bill has soured relations this month. Also read: UK bill would break international law 'in a specific and limited way', minister says The EU had given London until Wednesday to withdraw the bill but instead UK lawmakers voted 340-256 Tuesday to push the legislation past its last major House of Commons hurdle. It must also be approved by the House of Lords, where it is sure to meet strong opposition because it breaches international law. At the same time, EU and UK officials were continuing talks on a trade deal, going into detailed negotiations over everything from fisheries rights, state aid rules and legal oversight in case of disputes. Also read: Brexit provisions to stay in Internal Market Bill as UK shows 'no indication' of withdrawal European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the draft bill was a "breach of obligation of good faith" established in the Withdrawal Agreement, and would contradict the protocol of Ireland/Northern Ireland. Such so-called infringements could lead to hefty fines being imposed by the EU's top court but that takes years, leaving plenty of time for the UK to change tack. London now has one month now to reply to a formal letter of complaint from the Commission, which will then assess whether the answer is satisfactory and can then request that the UK falls back in line. If that fails, it can sue at the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice. The move comes as British and EU negotiators struggle to close the gap on state aid in parallel trade negotiations that have been overshadowed by the new controversy over the Internal Market Bill.

Brexit: EU takes legal action against UK over Internal Market Bill

The UK will face severe disruption at its ports and food shortages if it fails to strike a trade deal with the European Union before the end of the year. Watch report.

How will the post-Brexit Britain look?

Britain stood by its provocative bid to change the terms of its EU divorce deal on Monday, as a make-or-break week of post-Brexit trade talks began under a storm cloud.&nbsp;

Britain's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Monday&nbsp;that the clauses of the Internal Market Bill that undercut the Withdrawal Treaty would remain, despite a demand from the European Union that London scrap them.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-us-uk-trade-deal-if-brexit-risks-northern-irish-peace-deal-biden-to-johnson-328182">No US-UK trade deal if Brexit risks Northern Irish peace deal: Biden to Johnson</a>

The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is&nbsp;now winding its way through parliament and would override parts of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year.

Johnson argues it will provide a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland,&nbsp;although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/how-will-the-post-brexit-britain-look-like-330896/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The proposed law has infuriated the Europeans, who had demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week,&nbsp;but, after his meeting in Brussels with Sefcovic, Gove insisted it would not be changed.

"We want to make sure that the Withdrawal Agreement is implemented in full," Gove told reporters after talks in Brussels with European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic.

"But those clauses are there, they're in legislation, supported by the House of Commons, as a safety net, if need be. And those clauses will remain in that bill."

Gove said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had been very clear that there needed to be progress in trade talks between chief negotiators Michel Barnier and David Frost for the process to conclude in time.

After talks with Sefcovic on the implementation of the 2020 Brexit divorce treaty, Gove said: "We had a constructive meeting. We both were clear with each other where we were still some distance apart but we were both also clear that we wanted to bridge that gap."

He added: "Maros Sefcovic and I are committed to using every moment available: every second, every minute, every hour, in order to reach agreement and I'm confident that we will."

'Big trouble'

The last scheduled round of trade talks begins on Tuesday as scores of officials meet in Brussels in talks presided by Europe's Michel Barnier and his counterpart David Frost.

"This is the final formal round of negotiations but we expect discussion to continue in the run up to the European council, which is taking place on 15 to 16 October," a Downing Street spokesman said.

"Significant gaps remain&nbsp;as the EU still needs to adopt more realistic policy positions, but we are ready to work as hard as necessary to move things forward this week."

Both London and Brussels say a deal on a free trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for it to be ratified before coming into force from January 1 next year.

Failure to do so would see trade conducted on World Trade Organization rules, with higher tariffs and quotas and almost certain economic chaos for Britain and Europe.

Britain stood by its provocative bid to change the terms of its EU divorce deal on Monday, as a make-or-break week of post-Brexit trade talks began under a storm cloud.

Britain stood by its provocative bid to change the terms of its EU divorce deal on Monday, as a make-or-break week of post-Brexit trade talks began under a storm cloud. Britain's Brexit supremo, Michael Gove, said on Monday that the clauses of the Internal Market Bill that undercut the Withdrawal Treaty would remain, despite a demand from the European Union that London scrap them. Also read: No US-UK trade deal if Brexit risks Northern Irish peace deal: Biden to Johnson The British government unveiled an "Internal Markets Bill" last month which is now winding its way through parliament and would override parts of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year. Johnson argues it will provide a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland, although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law. The proposed law has infuriated the Europeans, who had demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week, but, after his meeting in Brussels with Sefcovic, Gove insisted it would not be changed. "We want to make sure that the Withdrawal Agreement is implemented in full," Gove told reporters after talks in Brussels with European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic. "But those clauses are there, they're in legislation, supported by the House of Commons, as a safety net, if need be. And those clauses will remain in that bill." Gove said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had been very clear that there needed to be progress in trade talks between chief negotiators Michel Barnier and David Frost for the process to conclude in time. After talks with Sefcovic on the implementation of the 2020 Brexit divorce treaty, Gove said: "We had a constructive meeting. We both were clear with each other where we were still some distance apart but we were both also clear that we wanted to bridge that gap." He added: "Maros Sefcovic and I are committed to using every moment available: every second, every minute, every hour, in order to reach agreement and I'm confident that we will." 'Big trouble' The last scheduled round of trade talks begins on Tuesday as scores of officials meet in Brussels in talks presided by Europe's Michel Barnier and his counterpart David Frost. "This is the final formal round of negotiations but we expect discussion to continue in the run up to the European council, which is taking place on 15 to 16 October," a Downing Street spokesman said. "Significant gaps remain as the EU still needs to adopt more realistic policy positions, but we are ready to work as hard as necessary to move things forward this week." Both London and Brussels say a deal on a free trade agreement must be struck by mid-October to allow time for it to be ratified before coming into force from January 1 next year. Failure to do so would see trade conducted on World Trade Organization rules, with higher tariffs and quotas and almost certain economic chaos for Britain and Europe.

Brexit provisions to stay in Internal Market Bill as UK shows 'no indication' of withdrawal

Swiss voters decide on Sunday whether to annul a pact with the European Union on the free movement of people, an important test of attitudes towards foreigners who make up a quarter of the population.

The right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) - the biggest in parliament - has led the charge to take back control of immigration, echoing some of the arguments pro-Brexit politicians used in the run-up to Britain's exit from the EU.

But a gfs.bern poll found 63 per cent of respondents oppose the SVP proposal and 35&nbsp;per cent support it, suggesting voters want stability at a time of economic uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic.

The SVP paints a gloomy picture of young foreigners supplanting older Swiss, housing getting dearer, schools and transport getting overcrowded and construction running wild.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/switzerland-to-hold-key-vote-on-future-of-wolves-330570/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Opponents say the plan would rob business of skilled workers and torpedo accords that enhance non-EU member Switzerland's access to the EU single market.

A "guillotine clause" means ending free movement would topple other bilateral pacts on land and air transport, procurement, technical barriers to trade, and research.

Citizens of the EU plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, which with Switzerland are members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), made up 68&nbsp;per cent of the 2.1 million resident foreigners in 2019. More than 450,000 Swiss live in the EU.

Should the referendum drive, as expected, fail, the government can turn to its biggest foreign policy headache: a stalled treaty that would cement ties with the EU but which critics say infringes too much on Swiss sovereign

Swiss voters decide on Sunday whether to annul a pact with the European Union on the free movement of people, an important test of attitudes towards foreigners who make up a quarter of the population.

Swiss voters decide on Sunday whether to annul a pact with the European Union on the free movement of people, an important test of attitudes towards foreigners who make up a quarter of the population. The right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) - the biggest in parliament - has led the charge to take back control of immigration, echoing some of the arguments pro-Brexit politicians used in the run-up to Britain's exit from the EU. But a gfs.bern poll found 63 per cent of respondents oppose the SVP proposal and 35 per cent support it, suggesting voters want stability at a time of economic uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic. The SVP paints a gloomy picture of young foreigners supplanting older Swiss, housing getting dearer, schools and transport getting overcrowded and construction running wild. × Opponents say the plan would rob business of skilled workers and torpedo accords that enhance non-EU member Switzerland's access to the EU single market. A "guillotine clause" means ending free movement would topple other bilateral pacts on land and air transport, procurement, technical barriers to trade, and research. Citizens of the EU plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, which with Switzerland are members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), made up 68 per cent of the 2.1 million resident foreigners in 2019. More than 450,000 Swiss live in the EU. Should the referendum drive, as expected, fail, the government can turn to its biggest foreign policy headache: a stalled treaty that would cement ties with the EU but which critics say infringes too much on Swiss sovereign

Swiss voters to decide on EU immigration pact

Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has quit her role as Britain’s special envoy on media freedom in protest at the country’s intention to breach international law over Brexit-related legislation.

The British government has drafted a bill which it acknowledges would violate its international legal obligations and undercut parts of the divorce deal it signed before Britain formally left the European Union in January.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the bill was essential to counter “absurd” threats from Brussels but it has prompted resignations and the threat of a rebellion by lawmakers, which appears to have been averted after a compromise was reached.

“It is lamentable for the UK to be speaking of its intention to violate an international treaty signed by the Prime Minister less than a year ago,” said Clooney, who is married to actor George Clooney, in a letter to foreign minister Dominic Raab.

“It threatens to embolden autocratic regimes that violate international law with devastating consequences all over the world,” she wrote.

Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has quit her role as Britain’s special envoy on media freedom in protest at the country’s intention to breach international law over Brexit-related legislation.

Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has quit her role as Britain’s special envoy on media freedom in protest at the country’s intention to breach international law over Brexit-related legislation. The British government has drafted a bill which it acknowledges would violate its international legal obligations and undercut parts of the divorce deal it signed before Britain formally left the European Union in January. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the bill was essential to counter “absurd” threats from Brussels but it has prompted resignations and the threat of a rebellion by lawmakers, which appears to have been averted after a compromise was reached. “It is lamentable for the UK to be speaking of its intention to violate an international treaty signed by the Prime Minister less than a year ago,” said Clooney, who is married to actor George Clooney, in a letter to foreign minister Dominic Raab. “It threatens to embolden autocratic regimes that violate international law with devastating consequences all over the world,” she wrote.

Amal Clooney quits UK envoy role over 'lamentable' international law breach

US&nbsp;Democratic presidential candidate&nbsp;Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;warned the United Kingdom that it must honour the Northern Irish peace deal as it extracts itself from the European Union or there would be no US&nbsp;trade deal.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We can’t allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit. 
 
Any trade deal between the U.S. and U.K. must be contingent upon respect for the Agreement and preventing the return of a hard border. Period. <a href="https://t.co/Ecu9jPrcHL">https://t.co/Ecu9jPrcHL</a>
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1306334039557586944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-sees-a-way-through-parliamentary-maze-for-brexit-treaty-breach-bill-327894" hreflang="en">UK sees 'a way through' parliamentary maze for Brexit treaty breach bill</a>

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's move to break parts of the EU divorce deal relating to Northern Ireland has triggered fears it could undermine the 1998 Good Friday peace accord that ended decades of violence between Irish nationalists and British unionists.

The Good Friday Agreement refers to a pair of deals signed on April 1998 that ended most of the violence of the Troubles, a political conflict in Northern Ireland that had been ongoing since the 1960s.

Johnson&nbsp;says the United Kingdom has to have the ability to break parts of the 2020 Brexit treaty he signed to uphold London's commitments under the 1998 peace deal which ended three decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland between pro-British Protestant unionists and Irish Catholic nationalists.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-pm-urges-britons-to-flatten-pandemics-second-hump-328140" hreflang="en">UK's PM urges Britons to flatten pandemic's 'second hump'</a>

The EU says any breach of the Brexit treaty could sink trade talks, propel the United Kingdom towards a messy exit when it finally leaves informal membership at the end of the year and thus complicate the border between Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland.

Britain and the EU jointly promised in the Brexit agreement to ensure there are no customs posts or other obstacles on the Northern Ireland-Ireland border. The open border is key to the stability that underpins the peace settlement.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is in Washington this week, and has been trying to assuage American concerns that a pending government bill would undermine Northern Ireland peace, if passed by lawmakers.

No deal?

The EU's Brexit negotiator told the bloc's 27 national envoys that he still hoped a trade deal with Britain was possible, stressing that the coming days would be decisive.

Michel Barnier addressed the gathering on Wednesday and the three sources either participated in the discussion behind closed doors or were briefed on its content.

"Barnier still believes a deal is possible though the next days are key," said one of the EU diplomatic sources.

Johnson told The Sun that the EU was being "abusive" to Britain and risking four decades of partnership.

He said the UK must "ring-fence" the Brexit deal "to put in watertight bulkheads that will stop friends and partners making abusive or extreme interpretations of the provisions."

Societe Generale analysts said on Thursday they now see an 80 per cent&nbsp;chance that Britain and the EU will fail to strike a trade deal before the end of the year.

Biden, who has talked about the importance of his Irish heritage, retweeted a letter from Eliot Engel, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US&nbsp;House of Representatives, to Johnson calling on the British leader to honour the 1998 Good Friday peace deal.

Engel urged Johnson to "abandon any and all legally questionable and unfair efforts to flout the Northern Ireland protocol of the Withdrawal Agreement."

He called on Johnson to "ensure that Brexit negotiations do not undermine the decades of progress to bring peace to Northern Ireland and future options for the bilateral relationship between our two countries."

Engel said Congress would not support a free trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom if Britain failed to uphold its commitments with Northern Ireland.

The letter was signed by Representatives Richard Neal, William Keating and Peter King.

Johnson is pushing ahead with his plan.

His government reached a deal on Wednesday to avert a rebellion in his own party, giving parliament a say over the use of post-Brexit powers within its proposed Internal Market Bill that breaks international law.

US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden warned the United Kingdom that it must honour the Northern Irish peace deal as it extracts itself from the European Union or there would be no US trade deal.

US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden warned the United Kingdom that it must honour the Northern Irish peace deal as it extracts itself from the European Union or there would be no US trade deal. We can’t allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit. Any trade deal between the U.S. and U.K. must be contingent upon respect for the Agreement and preventing the return of a hard border. Period. https://t.co/Ecu9jPrcHL — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 16, 2020 × Also read: UK sees 'a way through' parliamentary maze for Brexit treaty breach bill Prime Minister Boris Johnson's move to break parts of the EU divorce deal relating to Northern Ireland has triggered fears it could undermine the 1998 Good Friday peace accord that ended decades of violence between Irish nationalists and British unionists. The Good Friday Agreement refers to a pair of deals signed on April 1998 that ended most of the violence of the Troubles, a political conflict in Northern Ireland that had been ongoing since the 1960s. Johnson says the United Kingdom has to have the ability to break parts of the 2020 Brexit treaty he signed to uphold London's commitments under the 1998 peace deal which ended three decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland between pro-British Protestant unionists and Irish Catholic nationalists. Also read: UK's PM urges Britons to flatten pandemic's 'second hump' The EU says any breach of the Brexit treaty could sink trade talks, propel the United Kingdom towards a messy exit when it finally leaves informal membership at the end of the year and thus complicate the border between Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland. Britain and the EU jointly promised in the Brexit agreement to ensure there are no customs posts or other obstacles on the Northern Ireland-Ireland border. The open border is key to the stability that underpins the peace settlement. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is in Washington this week, and has been trying to assuage American concerns that a pending government bill would undermine Northern Ireland peace, if passed by lawmakers. No deal? The EU's Brexit negotiator told the bloc's 27 national envoys that he still hoped a trade deal with Britain was possible, stressing that the coming days would be decisive. Michel Barnier addressed the gathering on Wednesday and the three sources either participated in the discussion behind closed doors or were briefed on its content. "Barnier still believes a deal is possible though the next days are key," said one of the EU diplomatic sources. Johnson told The Sun that the EU was being "abusive" to Britain and risking four decades of partnership. He said the UK must "ring-fence" the Brexit deal "to put in watertight bulkheads that will stop friends and partners making abusive or extreme interpretations of the provisions." Societe Generale analysts said on Thursday they now see an 80 per cent chance that Britain and the EU will fail to strike a trade deal before the end of the year. Biden, who has talked about the importance of his Irish heritage, retweeted a letter from Eliot Engel, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives, to Johnson calling on the British leader to honour the 1998 Good Friday peace deal. Engel urged Johnson to "abandon any and all legally questionable and unfair efforts to flout the Northern Ireland protocol of the Withdrawal Agreement." He called on Johnson to "ensure that Brexit negotiations do not undermine the decades of progress to bring peace to Northern Ireland and future options for the bilateral relationship between our two countries." Engel said Congress would not support a free trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom if Britain failed to uphold its commitments with Northern Ireland. The letter was signed by Representatives Richard Neal, William Keating and Peter King. Johnson is pushing ahead with his plan. His government reached a deal on Wednesday to avert a rebellion in his own party, giving parliament a say over the use of post-Brexit powers within its proposed Internal Market Bill that breaks international law.

No US-UK trade deal if Brexit risks Northern Irish peace deal: Biden to Johnson

The head of the European Commission said on Wednesday the chances of reaching a trade deal with Britain were fading by the day as the British government pushes ahead with moves that would breach their divorce treaty.

The British government announced draft legislation last week which it acknowledges would violate its international legal obligations and undercut parts of the divorce deal it signed before Britain formally left the European Union in January.

Brussels wants Prime Minister Boris Johnson to scrap what is known as the Internal Market Bill, saying it could sink talks on future trade arrangements before Britain finally leaves the EU's orbit when a status quo transition period ends in December.

Johnson has refused.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uk-sees-a-way-through-parliamentary-maze-for-brexit-treaty-breach-bill-327894" hreflang="en">UK sees 'a way through' parliamentary maze for Brexit treaty breach bill</a>

"With every day that passes, the chances of a timely agreement do start to fade," said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, the EU executive.

In a speech to the European Parliament, she said the divorce agreement "cannot be unilaterally changed, disregarded or dis-applied".

"This is a matter of law, trust and good faith ... Trust is the foundation of any strong partnership," she said.

The EU fears a disorderly Brexit if the terms of the trade relationship are not agreed, and former British prime ministers have said breaking the law is a step too far that undermines the country's reputation.

Johnson has said the bill was essential to counter "absurd" threats from Brussels including that London be required to put up trade barriers between Britain and its province of Northern Ireland and that the EU would impose a food blockade. Such steps, he said, would threaten the unity of the United Kingdom.

Asked on Wednesday if the EU was negotiating in good faith, Johnson said: "I don't believe they are."

"Perhaps they will prove my suspicions wrong," Johnson said.

COMPROMISE WITH REBELS

Johnson's Internal Market Bill has been criticised by senior members of his governing Conservative Party and the previous five prime ministers have also expressed concern at the damage it might do to Britain's international standing.

However, he appeared to have averted a rebellion by Conservative lawmakers which might have derailed it altogether after agreeing to a compromise with them on Wednesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-faces-rebellion-over-plan-to-break-brexit-treaty-327474" hreflang="en">UK PM Boris Johnson faces rebellion over plan to break Brexit treaty</a>

"It is agreed that the parliamentary procedure suggested by some colleagues provides a clearer, more explicit democratic mandate for the use of these powers, and also provides more legal certainty," the government and two of the rebel lawmakers said in a joint statement.

It will mean parliament will have to give its approval before ministers can use the powers which override the Brexit divorce deal.

Earlier, Britain's Northern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis told parliament he stood by remarks he made last week that the bill would "break international law in a very specific and limited way".

However in a sign of continuing unease with the plans, Scotland's top law adviser to the British government, Richard Keen, quit his role, saying he could not reconcile his legal obligations with the government's policy intentions.

His resignation comes after the head of the British government's legal department quit last week over the issue.

EU diplomatic sources told Reuters that if the bill was passed in its current form, Brussels felt it could not deal with London.

The head of the European Commission said on Wednesday the chances of reaching a trade deal with Britain were fading by the day as the British government pushes ahead with moves that would breach their divorce treaty.

The head of the European Commission said on Wednesday the chances of reaching a trade deal with Britain were fading by the day as the British government pushes ahead with moves that would breach their divorce treaty. The British government announced draft legislation last week which it acknowledges would violate its international legal obligations and undercut parts of the divorce deal it signed before Britain formally left the European Union in January. Brussels wants Prime Minister Boris Johnson to scrap what is known as the Internal Market Bill, saying it could sink talks on future trade arrangements before Britain finally leaves the EU's orbit when a status quo transition period ends in December. Johnson has refused. Also read: UK sees 'a way through' parliamentary maze for Brexit treaty breach bill "With every day that passes, the chances of a timely agreement do start to fade," said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, the EU executive. In a speech to the European Parliament, she said the divorce agreement "cannot be unilaterally changed, disregarded or dis-applied". "This is a matter of law, trust and good faith ... Trust is the foundation of any strong partnership," she said. The EU fears a disorderly Brexit if the terms of the trade relationship are not agreed, and former British prime ministers have said breaking the law is a step too far that undermines the country's reputation. Johnson has said the bill was essential to counter "absurd" threats from Brussels including that London be required to put up trade barriers between Britain and its province of Northern Ireland and that the EU would impose a food blockade. Such steps, he said, would threaten the unity of the United Kingdom. Asked on Wednesday if the EU was negotiating in good faith, Johnson said: "I don't believe they are." "Perhaps they will prove my suspicions wrong," Johnson said. COMPROMISE WITH REBELS Johnson's Internal Market Bill has been criticised by senior members of his governing Conservative Party and the previous five prime ministers have also expressed concern at the damage it might do to Britain's international standing. However, he appeared to have averted a rebellion by Conservative lawmakers which might have derailed it altogether after agreeing to a compromise with them on Wednesday. Also read: UK PM Boris Johnson faces rebellion over plan to break Brexit treaty "It is agreed that the parliamentary procedure suggested by some colleagues provides a clearer, more explicit democratic mandate for the use of these powers, and also provides more legal certainty," the government and two of the rebel lawmakers said in a joint statement. It will mean parliament will have to give its approval before ministers can use the powers which override the Brexit divorce deal. Earlier, Britain's Northern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis told parliament he stood by remarks he made last week that the bill would "break international law in a very specific and limited way". However in a sign of continuing unease with the plans, Scotland's top law adviser to the British government, Richard Keen, quit his role, saying he could not reconcile his legal obligations with the government's policy intentions. His resignation comes after the head of the British government's legal department quit last week over the issue. EU diplomatic sources told Reuters that if the bill was passed in its current form, Brussels felt it could not deal with London.

Chances of Brexit deal fading every day, EU Commission chief says

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government sees a 'way through' the parliamentary maze for his bill that would break the Brexit divorce treaty as it talks with rebels in the Conservative Party, a minister said on Wednesday.

Johnson's Internal Market Bill, which the EU has demanded he scrap by the end of September, is currently being debated in parliament, though he is facing a rebellion by some members of his Conservative Party.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-faces-rebellion-over-plan-to-break-brexit-treaty-327474" hreflang="en">UK PM Boris Johnson faces rebellion over plan to break Brexit treaty</a>

"I believe there is a way through," Robert Buckland told the BBC when asked about negotiations with rebels in parliament over the bill, adding that London wanted a deal with the EU.

"In terms of shared understanding, I have already seen quite a difference," he said when asked about a possible compromise in parliament.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-warns-citizens-of-risk-of-arbitrary-detention-in-china-327674" hreflang="en">Britain warns citizens of risk of arbitrary detention in China</a>

Asked if he had been involved in negotiations with Bob Neill, a Conservative lawmaker, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: "There are lots of discussions going on with all MPs from all parts of the debate, not just Bob Neill."

"We want to get this bill through, we want to make sure that we are ready for any disagreements or disputes that might arise if we don't get agreement in the joint committee," he said. "For me, I just want Brexit sorted."

Buckland told Times Radio that the bill was needed as an insurance policy in case the EU made a "material breach" of their obligations but that the talks were not yet at that stage and that London would use current mechanisms to find a compromise.

The EU says Johnson's bill could collapse trade talks and propel the United Kingdom towards a messy Brexit while former British leaders have warned that breaking the law is a step too far that undermines the country's image.

Johnson said it was essential to counter "absurd" threats from Brussels including that London put up trade barriers between Britain and Northern Ireland and impose a food blockade - steps he said threatened the United Kingdom's unity.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government sees a 'way through' the parliamentary maze for his bill that would break the Brexit divorce treaty as it talks with rebels in the Conservative Party, a minister said on Wednesday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government sees a 'way through' the parliamentary maze for his bill that would break the Brexit divorce treaty as it talks with rebels in the Conservative Party, a minister said on Wednesday. Johnson's Internal Market Bill, which the EU has demanded he scrap by the end of September, is currently being debated in parliament, though he is facing a rebellion by some members of his Conservative Party. Also read: UK PM Boris Johnson faces rebellion over plan to break Brexit treaty "I believe there is a way through," Robert Buckland told the BBC when asked about negotiations with rebels in parliament over the bill, adding that London wanted a deal with the EU. "In terms of shared understanding, I have already seen quite a difference," he said when asked about a possible compromise in parliament. Also read: Britain warns citizens of risk of arbitrary detention in China Asked if he had been involved in negotiations with Bob Neill, a Conservative lawmaker, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: "There are lots of discussions going on with all MPs from all parts of the debate, not just Bob Neill." "We want to get this bill through, we want to make sure that we are ready for any disagreements or disputes that might arise if we don't get agreement in the joint committee," he said. "For me, I just want Brexit sorted." Buckland told Times Radio that the bill was needed as an insurance policy in case the EU made a "material breach" of their obligations but that the talks were not yet at that stage and that London would use current mechanisms to find a compromise. The EU says Johnson's bill could collapse trade talks and propel the United Kingdom towards a messy Brexit while former British leaders have warned that breaking the law is a step too far that undermines the country's image. Johnson said it was essential to counter "absurd" threats from Brussels including that London put up trade barriers between Britain and Northern Ireland and impose a food blockade - steps he said threatened the United Kingdom's unity.

UK sees 'a way through' parliamentary maze for Brexit treaty breach bill

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has a majority of 80 in the lower house of parliament, is facing a growing revolt over a bill that would break international law by breaching parts of the Brexit divorce deal and that Brussels says will wreck trade talks. He has been trying to persuade rebellious lawmakers in his party to vote for the bill.

The House of Commons will debate the Internal Market Bill, which the EU has demanded Johnson scrap by the end of September, in the latest brinkmanship of a four-year saga since Britain voted narrowly to leave the bloc.

After the debate, lawmakers will decide if the bill should go to the next stage.

Johnson's plan to explicitly break international law has plunged Brexit back into crisis less than four months before Britain is finally due to leave the EU's orbit at the end of a transition period, and jeopardised trade talks.

EU diplomats and officials said the bloc could take legal action against Britain, though there would be no resolution before the end-of-year deadline for its full exit.

The EU has ramped up preparations for a no-deal Brexit, which would be chaotic for business, markets and nearly $1 trillion in annual trade.

All of Britain's living former prime ministers have expressed concern about his plan as have many senior figures in his Conservative Party.

Meanwhile, British ministers say the bill, which explicitly states that it could be inconsistent with a host of international laws, is intended to clarify ambiguities -- particularly over Northern Ireland -- and act as a safeguard in case trade talks fall.

But some EU diplomats believe London is playing a game of chicken, inviting the collapse of trade talks to either get the deal it wants or leave without a deal.

The EU says it cannot trust those who break agreements and that if the bill is not effectively scrapped there will be no trade deal to cover everything from car parts to food.

The pound fell 3% last week on fears of a no-deal Brexit.

If, as expected, it is passed in its second reading on Monday, there will be four more days of debate on the bill`s fine print - lasting into Tuesday of next week.

If the bill passes the lower house, it will undergo scrutiny in the House of Lords where opposition from Conservative members is expected to be even stronger. 
&nbsp;

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has a majority of 80 in the lower house of parliament, is facing a growing revolt over a bill that would break international law by breaching parts of the Brexit divorce deal and that Brussels says will wreck trade talks.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has a majority of 80 in the lower house of parliament, is facing a growing revolt over a bill that would break international law by breaching parts of the Brexit divorce deal and that Brussels says will wreck trade talks. He has been trying to persuade rebellious lawmakers in his party to vote for the bill. The House of Commons will debate the Internal Market Bill, which the EU has demanded Johnson scrap by the end of September, in the latest brinkmanship of a four-year saga since Britain voted narrowly to leave the bloc. After the debate, lawmakers will decide if the bill should go to the next stage. Johnson's plan to explicitly break international law has plunged Brexit back into crisis less than four months before Britain is finally due to leave the EU's orbit at the end of a transition period, and jeopardised trade talks. EU diplomats and officials said the bloc could take legal action against Britain, though there would be no resolution before the end-of-year deadline for its full exit. The EU has ramped up preparations for a no-deal Brexit, which would be chaotic for business, markets and nearly $1 trillion in annual trade. All of Britain's living former prime ministers have expressed concern about his plan as have many senior figures in his Conservative Party. Meanwhile, British ministers say the bill, which explicitly states that it could be inconsistent with a host of international laws, is intended to clarify ambiguities -- particularly over Northern Ireland -- and act as a safeguard in case trade talks fall. But some EU diplomats believe London is playing a game of chicken, inviting the collapse of trade talks to either get the deal it wants or leave without a deal. The EU says it cannot trust those who break agreements and that if the bill is not effectively scrapped there will be no trade deal to cover everything from car parts to food. The pound fell 3% last week on fears of a no-deal Brexit. If, as expected, it is passed in its second reading on Monday, there will be four more days of debate on the bill`s fine print - lasting into Tuesday of next week. If the bill passes the lower house, it will undergo scrutiny in the House of Lords where opposition from Conservative members is expected to be even stronger.

UK PM Boris Johnson faces rebellion over plan to break Brexit treaty

Former UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and John Major came together to launch an unprecedented attack on current UK PM Boris Johnson and said that his government's actions were 'shaming the nation'.

Blair and Major who were fierce rivals in the 90s joined forces to criticise new legislation that seeks to override the Brexit deal struck with the European Union. They targeted Johnson in a joint article in The Sunday Times.

The British government said explicitly last week that it plans to break international law by breaching parts of the Withdrawal Agreement treaty that it signed in January when it formally left the EU.

"What is being proposed now is shocking," said Major and Blair.

Both John Major and Tony Blair were opposed to Brexit said that they accepted that it was happening now. But they expressed displeasure as they said the Boris Johnson's actions were diminishing UK's image as a trustworthy negotiation partner.

"This government's action is shaming itself and embarrassing the nation," they said.

Theresa May, current Prime Minister Boris Johnson's predecessor, has also questioned whether international partners would be able to trust Britain in future.

Johnson says the new legislation is needed to clarify the Northern Ireland protocol element of the Brexit deal, to protect free trade between the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Sunday that the Withdrawal Agreement on Northern Ireland "is not a threat to the integrity of the UK", and had been agreed by the two sides to protect peace on the island of Ireland.

"We could not have been clearer about the consequences of Brexit," Barnier said on Twitter.

Earlier on Sunday, British Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told Sky News the legislation is "Brexit-critical" and must be passed by parliament, which is due to debate the bill on Monday.

Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labour Party, described the legislation as wrong on Sunday.

"We have broken the trust of our international partners," Starmer wrote in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, adding that his party would oppose the bill in parliament unless changes were made.

European lawmakers have warned they would not approve any new trade deal unless the withdrawal agreement was fully implemented, while there is also talk of possible legal action.

(With Reuters inputs)

Former UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and John Major came together to launch an unprecedented attack on current UK PM Boris Johnson and said that his government's actions were 'shaming the nation'.

Former UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and John Major came together to launch an unprecedented attack on current UK PM Boris Johnson and said that his government's actions were 'shaming the nation'. Blair and Major who were fierce rivals in the 90s joined forces to criticise new legislation that seeks to override the Brexit deal struck with the European Union. They targeted Johnson in a joint article in The Sunday Times. The British government said explicitly last week that it plans to break international law by breaching parts of the Withdrawal Agreement treaty that it signed in January when it formally left the EU. "What is being proposed now is shocking," said Major and Blair. Both John Major and Tony Blair were opposed to Brexit said that they accepted that it was happening now. But they expressed displeasure as they said the Boris Johnson's actions were diminishing UK's image as a trustworthy negotiation partner. "This government's action is shaming itself and embarrassing the nation," they said. Theresa May, current Prime Minister Boris Johnson's predecessor, has also questioned whether international partners would be able to trust Britain in future. Johnson says the new legislation is needed to clarify the Northern Ireland protocol element of the Brexit deal, to protect free trade between the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Sunday that the Withdrawal Agreement on Northern Ireland "is not a threat to the integrity of the UK", and had been agreed by the two sides to protect peace on the island of Ireland. "We could not have been clearer about the consequences of Brexit," Barnier said on Twitter. Earlier on Sunday, British Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told Sky News the legislation is "Brexit-critical" and must be passed by parliament, which is due to debate the bill on Monday. Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labour Party, described the legislation as wrong on Sunday. "We have broken the trust of our international partners," Starmer wrote in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, adding that his party would oppose the bill in parliament unless changes were made. European lawmakers have warned they would not approve any new trade deal unless the withdrawal agreement was fully implemented, while there is also talk of possible legal action. (With Reuters inputs)

Brexit: Former PMs Tony Blair, John Major slam Boris Johnson for 'shaming' UK

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has accused the European Union of threatening to impose a food "blockade" between Britain and Northern Ireland that could tear the UK apart, throwing new fuel on the fire of simmering Brexit talks.

Writing in Saturday's Daily Telegraph newspaper, Johnson said the EU's stance justified his government's introduction of new legislation to rewrite its Brexit withdrawal treaty -- a bill that is causing deep alarm among his own MPs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-trade-deal-brits-do-not-understand-says-french-foreign-minister-325567">Also read|&nbsp;Brexit trade deal: Brits 'do not understand', says French foreign minister</a>

Talks between London and Brussels on a future trading relationship are deadlocked. Absent a deal by the end of this year, when the full force of Brexit kicks in, Johnson said the EU was bent on an "extreme interpretation" of rules for Northern Ireland.

"We are being told that the EU will not only impose tariffs on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, but that they might actually stop the transport of food products from GB to NI," he wrote.

"I have to say that we never seriously believed that the EU would be willing to use a treaty, negotiated in good faith, to blockade one part of the UK, to cut it off, or that they would actually threaten to destroy the economic and territorial integrity of the UK."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-wont-blink-first-uk-warns-the-eu-on-brexit-trade-negotiations-325513">Also read|&nbsp;'We won't blink first': UK warns the EU on Brexit trade negotiations</a>

The food dispute centres on the EU's refusal so far to grant Britain "third country" status, which acknowledges that nations meet basic requirements to export their foodstuffs to Europe.

Under Britain's EU withdrawal treaty, Northern Ireland will enjoy a special status to ensure no return of a border with EU member Ireland, in line with a 1998 peace pact that ended three decades of bloodshed.

The EU is worried that post-Brexit Britain could undercut its own food standards, as well as rules on state aid for companies, to send goods into its single market via Northern Ireland.

After another difficult round of trade talks this week in London, chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier said "many uncertainties" remained about Britain's food export regime after January 1.

'Legal safety net'

"More clarity is needed for the EU to do the assessment for the third-country listing of the UK," he said in a statement.

Johnson said his government remained committed to finding agreement with the EU by the end of the year.

"But we cannot leave the theoretical power to carve up our country -– to divide it -– in the hands of an international organisation," he wrote, calling the new UK Internal Market Bill a "legal safety net".

The prime minister's article appeared after he held a chaotic videoconference on Friday evening with mutinous Conservative MPs who are aghast at the prospect of the government tearing up an international treaty.

"We must get this bill through," Johnson wrote, ahead of a debate in parliament on Monday. "So I say to my fellow parliamentarians that we cannot go back to the dark days of last year -– the squabbling that so undermined our negotiators."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has accused the European Union of threatening to impose a food "blockade" between Britain and Northern Ireland that could tear the UK apart, throwing new fuel on the fire of simmering Brexit talks.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has accused the European Union of threatening to impose a food "blockade" between Britain and Northern Ireland that could tear the UK apart, throwing new fuel on the fire of simmering Brexit talks. Writing in Saturday's Daily Telegraph newspaper, Johnson said the EU's stance justified his government's introduction of new legislation to rewrite its Brexit withdrawal treaty -- a bill that is causing deep alarm among his own MPs. Also read| Brexit trade deal: Brits 'do not understand', says French foreign minister Talks between London and Brussels on a future trading relationship are deadlocked. Absent a deal by the end of this year, when the full force of Brexit kicks in, Johnson said the EU was bent on an "extreme interpretation" of rules for Northern Ireland. "We are being told that the EU will not only impose tariffs on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, but that they might actually stop the transport of food products from GB to NI," he wrote. "I have to say that we never seriously believed that the EU would be willing to use a treaty, negotiated in good faith, to blockade one part of the UK, to cut it off, or that they would actually threaten to destroy the economic and territorial integrity of the UK." Also read| 'We won't blink first': UK warns the EU on Brexit trade negotiations The food dispute centres on the EU's refusal so far to grant Britain "third country" status, which acknowledges that nations meet basic requirements to export their foodstuffs to Europe. Under Britain's EU withdrawal treaty, Northern Ireland will enjoy a special status to ensure no return of a border with EU member Ireland, in line with a 1998 peace pact that ended three decades of bloodshed. The EU is worried that post-Brexit Britain could undercut its own food standards, as well as rules on state aid for companies, to send goods into its single market via Northern Ireland. After another difficult round of trade talks this week in London, chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier said "many uncertainties" remained about Britain's food export regime after January 1. 'Legal safety net' "More clarity is needed for the EU to do the assessment for the third-country listing of the UK," he said in a statement. Johnson said his government remained committed to finding agreement with the EU by the end of the year. "But we cannot leave the theoretical power to carve up our country -– to divide it -– in the hands of an international organisation," he wrote, calling the new UK Internal Market Bill a "legal safety net". The prime minister's article appeared after he held a chaotic videoconference on Friday evening with mutinous Conservative MPs who are aghast at the prospect of the government tearing up an international treaty. "We must get this bill through," Johnson wrote, ahead of a debate in parliament on Monday. "So I say to my fellow parliamentarians that we cannot go back to the dark days of last year -– the squabbling that so undermined our negotiators."

Johnson accuses EU of plotting food 'blockade' on UK

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-approves-russian-request-to-assist-in-navalny-probe-326877">Germany approves Russian request to assist in Navalny probe</a>

Germany has approved a request from Russia for legal assistance in the probe into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-approves-russian-request-to-assist-in-navalny-probe-326877">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-made-useful-decision-on-de-escalation-at-the-border-russia-326876">India, China made useful decision on de-escalation at the border: Russia</a>

India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi's meet will give "political guidance" on disengagement process which both sides have agreed in Moscow | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-made-useful-decision-on-de-escalation-at-the-border-russia-326876">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-its-not-seeking-to-interfere-in-other-countries-electoral-processes-326851">Russia says it's not seeking to interfere in other countries' electoral processes</a>

Russia is not seeking to interfere in the electoral processes of other countries around the world, nor has it in the past, the Kremlin said on Friday | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-its-not-seeking-to-interfere-in-other-countries-electoral-processes-326851">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-death-toll-of-west-coast-wildfires-rises-to-9-500000-ordered-to-evacuate-in-oregon-326779">US: Death toll of West Coast wildfires rises to 9; 500,000 ordered to evacuate in Oregon</a>

At least nine people were killed and hundreds of thousands evacuated as wildfires continue to impact US West Coast states on Thursday | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-death-toll-of-west-coast-wildfires-rises-to-9-500000-ordered-to-evacuate-in-oregon-326779">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-decision-to-relocate-flag-remembering-pows-sparks-anger-326865">White House decision to relocate flag remembering POWs sparks anger</a>

Groups of US armed forces veterans and several lawmakers have expressed displeasure and anger over a decision taken by White House to relocate a flag remembering Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-decision-to-relocate-flag-remembering-pows-sparks-anger-326865">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-once-showed-off-executed-uncles-headless-body-trump-says-326862">Kim Jong Un once showed off executed uncle's headless body, Trump says</a>

The headless body of Kim Jong Un's executed uncle was once displayed to senior North Korean officials, US President Donald Trump told the author of an upcoming biographical book | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-once-showed-off-executed-uncles-headless-body-trump-says-326862">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-clinches-first-major-trade-deal-since-leaving-the-eu-326838">Britain clinches first major trade deal since leaving the EU</a>

Britain has reached a free trade agreement with Japan, its first since leaving the European Union earlier this year | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-clinches-first-major-trade-deal-since-leaving-the-eu-326838">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/despite-california-wildfire-debacle-dubai-couple-hosts-lavish-gender-reveal-party-326786">Despite California wildfire debacle, Dubai couple hosts lavish gender reveal party</a>

Dubai-based Syrian influencers Anas and Asala Marwah on Tuesday hosted a gender reveal party at one of the world's tallest buildings, Burj Khalifa | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/despite-california-wildfire-debacle-dubai-couple-hosts-lavish-gender-reveal-party-326786">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-journalist-defends-decision-for-halt-in-publishing-trumps-remarks-on-coronavirus-crisis-326841">US journalist defends decision for halt in publishing Trump's remarks on coronavirus crisis</a>

Prominent US journalist Bob Woodward was forced to defend himself following claims in his book on US President Donald Trump that said that Trump downplayed the coronavirus crisis despite knowing its severity | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-journalist-defends-decision-for-halt-in-publishing-trumps-remarks-on-coronavirus-crisis-326841">READ MORE</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-activists-take-congolese-statue-from-dutch-museum-326870">Black activists take Congolese statue from Dutch museum</a>

A group of activists took a Congolese funeral statue from a Dutch museum, saying they were recovering art looted during the colonial era. The entire sequence of events was streamed on Facebook | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-activists-take-congolese-statue-from-dutch-museum-326870">READ MORE</a>

Germany approves Russian request to assist in Navalny probe Germany has approved a request from Russia for legal assistance in the probe into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny | READ MORE India, China made useful decision on de-escalation at the border: Russia India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi's meet will give "political guidance" on disengagement process which both sides have agreed in Moscow | READ MORE Russia says it's not seeking to interfere in other countries' electoral processes Russia is not seeking to interfere in the electoral processes of other countries around the world, nor has it in the past, the Kremlin said on Friday | READ MORE US: Death toll of West Coast wildfires rises to 9; 500,000 ordered to evacuate in Oregon At least nine people were killed and hundreds of thousands evacuated as wildfires continue to impact US West Coast states on Thursday | READ MORE White House decision to relocate flag remembering POWs sparks anger Groups of US armed forces veterans and several lawmakers have expressed displeasure and anger over a decision taken by White House to relocate a flag remembering Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) | READ MORE Kim Jong Un once showed off executed uncle's headless body, Trump says The headless body of Kim Jong Un's executed uncle was once displayed to senior North Korean officials, US President Donald Trump told the author of an upcoming biographical book | READ MORE Britain clinches first major trade deal since leaving the EU Britain has reached a free trade agreement with Japan, its first since leaving the European Union earlier this year | READ MORE Despite California wildfire debacle, Dubai couple hosts lavish gender reveal party Dubai-based Syrian influencers Anas and Asala Marwah on Tuesday hosted a gender reveal party at one of the world's tallest buildings, Burj Khalifa | READ MORE US journalist defends decision for halt in publishing Trump's remarks on coronavirus crisis Prominent US journalist Bob Woodward was forced to defend himself following claims in his book on US President Donald Trump that said that Trump downplayed the coronavirus crisis despite knowing its severity | READ MORE Black activists take Congolese statue from Dutch museum A group of activists took a Congolese funeral statue from a Dutch museum, saying they were recovering art looted during the colonial era.

Germany approves Russian request to assist in Navalny probe Germany has approved a request from Russia for legal assistance in the probe into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny | READ MORE India, China made useful decision on de-escalation at the border: Russia India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi's meet will give "political guidance" on disengagement process which both sides have agreed in Moscow | READ MORE Russia says it's not seeking to interfere in other countries' electoral processes Russia is not seeking to interfere in the electoral processes of other countries around the world, nor has it in the past, the Kremlin said on Friday | READ MORE US: Death toll of West Coast wildfires rises to 9; 500,000 ordered to evacuate in Oregon At least nine people were killed and hundreds of thousands evacuated as wildfires continue to impact US West Coast states on Thursday | READ MORE White House decision to relocate flag remembering POWs sparks anger Groups of US armed forces veterans and several lawmakers have expressed displeasure and anger over a decision taken by White House to relocate a flag remembering Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) | READ MORE Kim Jong Un once showed off executed uncle's headless body, Trump says The headless body of Kim Jong Un's executed uncle was once displayed to senior North Korean officials, US President Donald Trump told the author of an upcoming biographical book | READ MORE Britain clinches first major trade deal since leaving the EU Britain has reached a free trade agreement with Japan, its first since leaving the European Union earlier this year | READ MORE Despite California wildfire debacle, Dubai couple hosts lavish gender reveal party Dubai-based Syrian influencers Anas and Asala Marwah on Tuesday hosted a gender reveal party at one of the world's tallest buildings, Burj Khalifa | READ MORE US journalist defends decision for halt in publishing Trump's remarks on coronavirus crisis Prominent US journalist Bob Woodward was forced to defend himself following claims in his book on US President Donald Trump that said that Trump downplayed the coronavirus crisis despite knowing its severity | READ MORE Black activists take Congolese statue from Dutch museum A group of activists took a Congolese funeral statue from a Dutch museum, saying they were recovering art looted during the colonial era. The entire sequence of events was streamed on Facebook | READ MORE

Top ten world news today: Germany to assist in Navalny probe, Russia denies links with US election and more

Britain has reached a free trade agreement with Japan, its first since leaving the European Union earlier this year.

The deal was agreed to in principle on Friday.

The UK Department for International Trade said in a statement that it will increase trade between the two countries by about £15.2 billion ($19.5 billion).

As a result, UK businesses won't face tariffs on 99% of exports to Japan, including on products such as knitwear, biscuits and coats.

Also, Japanese car manufacturers including Nissan (NSANF) will enjoy reduced tariffs on parts coming into the UK and streamlined regulatory procedures, according to the statement.

The UK government plans to replicate dozens of EU trade deals with third countries before its transitional agreement with the bloc expires at the end of the year. If the deals don't materialise, British companies could face barriers to doing business in most of the foreign markets they serve starting next year.

Meanwhile, the European Union stepped up planning for a 'no-deal' Brexit on Friday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government refused to revoke an ultimatum on breaking the divorce treaty that Brussels says will sink four years of talks.

Britain said explicitly this week that it plans to break international law by breaching parts of the Withdrawal Agreement treaty that it signed in January, when it formally left the bloc.

Britain says the move is aimed at clarifying ambiguities, but it caused a new crisis in talks less than four months before the United Kingdom is due to complete its departure from the EU's orbit when a transition period ends in December.

The EU has demanded that Britain scrap the plan to breach the divorce treaty by the end of this month. Britain has refused, saying its parliament is sovereign above international law.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Thursday, after talks in London, that the bloc was increasing its planning for a no-deal Brexit at the end of this year after trade talks made little progress.

Investment banks have increased their estimates of the chances of a messy end to Britain's divorce from the trading and political bloc it first joined in 1973, and sterling has fallen against the dollar and the euro.

European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic urged Britain to scrap by the end of September the main elements of new legislation put forward this week that would override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement, but Britain said parliament would debate the bill on Monday.

The bill will face opposition in both houses of parliament as many senior British politicians have expressed shock that London is explicitly planning to breach international law.

Barnier's team will brief the 27 members of the EU on the progress of trade talks on Friday. 
&nbsp;

Britain has reached a free trade agreement with Japan, its first since leaving the European Union earlier this year. The deal was agreed to in principle on Friday.

Britain has reached a free trade agreement with Japan, its first since leaving the European Union earlier this year. The deal was agreed to in principle on Friday. The UK Department for International Trade said in a statement that it will increase trade between the two countries by about £15.2 billion ($19.5 billion). As a result, UK businesses won't face tariffs on 99% of exports to Japan, including on products such as knitwear, biscuits and coats. Also, Japanese car manufacturers including Nissan (NSANF) will enjoy reduced tariffs on parts coming into the UK and streamlined regulatory procedures, according to the statement. The UK government plans to replicate dozens of EU trade deals with third countries before its transitional agreement with the bloc expires at the end of the year. If the deals don't materialise, British companies could face barriers to doing business in most of the foreign markets they serve starting next year. Meanwhile, the European Union stepped up planning for a 'no-deal' Brexit on Friday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government refused to revoke an ultimatum on breaking the divorce treaty that Brussels says will sink four years of talks. Britain said explicitly this week that it plans to break international law by breaching parts of the Withdrawal Agreement treaty that it signed in January, when it formally left the bloc. Britain says the move is aimed at clarifying ambiguities, but it caused a new crisis in talks less than four months before the United Kingdom is due to complete its departure from the EU's orbit when a transition period ends in December. The EU has demanded that Britain scrap the plan to breach the divorce treaty by the end of this month. Britain has refused, saying its parliament is sovereign above international law. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Thursday, after talks in London, that the bloc was increasing its planning for a no-deal Brexit at the end of this year after trade talks made little progress. Investment banks have increased their estimates of the chances of a messy end to Britain's divorce from the trading and political bloc it first joined in 1973, and sterling has fallen against the dollar and the euro. European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic urged Britain to scrap by the end of September the main elements of new legislation put forward this week that would override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement, but Britain said parliament would debate the bill on Monday. The bill will face opposition in both houses of parliament as many senior British politicians have expressed shock that London is explicitly planning to breach international law. Barnier's team will brief the 27 members of the EU on the progress of trade talks on Friday.

Britain clinches first major trade deal since leaving the EU

Ahead of a crucial round of talks between London and Brussels over the future trading relationship between the UK and the European Union, the British government made a startling admission: 'That it would be prepared to break the terms of an international treaty'.

UK might break international law on Brexit: Fear of 'no deal' Brexit returns to UK

Northern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis on Tuesday said the proposed legislation for UK’s internal market would break international law, but “in a limited way”.

Many reports coming in on September 7 claimed that the the proposed legislation would undermine the Brexit deal in place.

'Specific and limited way'

When asked if the proposed legislation would defy or breach international laws, Lewis said,”Yes, this does break international law in a very specific and limited way”.

"We are taking the powers to disapply the EU law concept of direct effect required by article 4 in a certain, very tightly defined circumstance”, he added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-boris-johnson-sets-october-15-as-deadline-for-brexit-negotiations-with-eu-325611" hreflang="en">British PM Boris Johnson sets October 15 as deadline for Brexit negotiations with EU</a>

"There are clear precedence for the UK and indeed other countries needing to consider their international obligations as circumstances change”, he further said.

Additionally, Lewis said that the government plans to deliver and work further on the Northern Ireland protocol, part of the Brexit deal. This may be achieved by more negotiations with the European Union.

"The clauses that will be in the bill tomorrow are specifically there for should that fail ensure that we are able to deliver on our commitments to the people of Northern Ireland," he said.

EU warns Britain

EU leader Ursula von der Leyen warned Monday that Britain is legally obliged to respect the Brexit withdrawal agreement, which must form the basis on any future relationship.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-wont-blink-first-uk-warns-the-eu-on-brexit-trade-negotiations-325513" hreflang="en">'We won't blink first': UK warns the EU on Brexit trade negotiations</a>

"I trust the British government to implement the Withdrawal Agreement, an obligation under international law and prerequisite for any future partnership," the president of the European Commission said.

Von der Leyen issued her warning&nbsp;after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a deadline for a post-Brexit trade agreement with the European Union. He has set October 15 as the deadline, brushing off fears about "no-deal" chaos if talks fail.&nbsp;

This week, the eighth round of negotiations between the two will resume in London. Both sides talking increasingly tough, amid accusations of intransigence and political brinkmanship.

Northern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis on Tuesday said the proposed legislation for UK’s internal market would break international law, but “in a limited way”. Many reports coming in on September 7 claimed that the the proposed legislation would undermine the Brexit deal in place.

Northern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis on Tuesday said the proposed legislation for UK’s internal market would break international law, but “in a limited way”. Many reports coming in on September 7 claimed that the the proposed legislation would undermine the Brexit deal in place. 'Specific and limited way' When asked if the proposed legislation would defy or breach international laws, Lewis said,”Yes, this does break international law in a very specific and limited way”. "We are taking the powers to disapply the EU law concept of direct effect required by article 4 in a certain, very tightly defined circumstance”, he added. Also read: British PM Boris Johnson sets October 15 as deadline for Brexit negotiations with EU "There are clear precedence for the UK and indeed other countries needing to consider their international obligations as circumstances change”, he further said. Additionally, Lewis said that the government plans to deliver and work further on the Northern Ireland protocol, part of the Brexit deal. This may be achieved by more negotiations with the European Union. "The clauses that will be in the bill tomorrow are specifically there for should that fail ensure that we are able to deliver on our commitments to the people of Northern Ireland," he said. EU warns Britain EU leader Ursula von der Leyen warned Monday that Britain is legally obliged to respect the Brexit withdrawal agreement, which must form the basis on any future relationship. Also read: 'We won't blink first': UK warns the EU on Brexit trade negotiations "I trust the British government to implement the Withdrawal Agreement, an obligation under international law and prerequisite for any future partnership," the president of the European Commission said. Von der Leyen issued her warning after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a deadline for a post-Brexit trade agreement with the European Union. He has set October 15 as the deadline, brushing off fears about "no-deal" chaos if talks fail. This week, the eighth round of negotiations between the two will resume in London. Both sides talking increasingly tough, amid accusations of intransigence and political brinkmanship.

UK bill would break international law 'in a specific and limited way', minister says

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a deadline for a post-Brexit trade agreement with the European Union. He has set October 15 as the deadline, brushing off fears about "no-deal" chaos if talks fail.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a deadline for a post-Brexit trade agreement with the European Union. He has set October 15 as the deadline, brushing off fears about "no-deal" chaos if talks fail. Also read: 'We won't blink first': UK warns the EU on Brexit trade negotiations This week, the eighth round of negotiations between the two will resume in London. Both sides talking increasingly tough, amid accusations of intransigence and political brinkmanship. Britain's top Brexit negotiator warned the European Union that the island country will not blink first in trade negotiations with the EU and is not scared of a no-deal exit. His EU opposite number, Michel Barnier, this week said the talks stood or failed on the need to get an accord on EU access to UK fishing waters and state aid rules, but Britain was giving no ground. Also read: Brexit trade deal: Brits 'do not understand', says French foreign minister According to Brussels, it indicated that mid-October was the latest a deal could be struck, given the need for translation and ratification by the European Parliament. Despite months of refusing to confirm a firm cut-off date, Johnson agreed. "There needs to be an agreement with our European friends by the time of the European Council on October 15 if it's going to be in force by the end of the year," he said in remarks released by his office. "So, there is no sense in thinking beyond that point. If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us." If this happens, the United Kingdom will have an "Australia-style" deal with the EU or one similar to that agreed with Canada and other countries, he said. Australia trades with the EU under World Trade Organization rules and tariffs. But Johnson, whose government had said it wanted a "zero tariff, zero quota" regime, insisted it would still be a "good outcome" for Britain. (Inputs from AFP)

British PM Boris Johnson sets October 15 as deadline for Brexit negotiations with EU

The United Kingdom has set a deadline of October 15 to strike a free-trade deal with the European Union.

UK-EU Trade Deal: UK's Brexit negotiator calls on EU for interference

brexit-0

Brexit, News on Brexit, stories on Brexit, articles on Brexit, Brexit stories at Wion, Brexit news, Brexit latest news

brexit 0