European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that the EU is “all set” for talks on trade with the UK.
“We will enter these negotiations with the highest ambition because good old friends like the UK and us shouldn’t settle for less.”
But she has said that the Prime Minister would have to accept a level playing field on rules and standards. This coming after Mr Johnson insisted the UK has no need to follow EU trade rules.
Meanwhile, Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s Head of Task Force for Relations, has warned the UK that “they should not kid themselves” Brussels will give any kind of special deal. He also advised that the UK’s desire to end the transition period this year has left too little time for the negotiations and there will be serious economic consequences if there’s no trade deal at the end of the year.