Brexit: Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron lag behind in trade talks

The Brexit talks were about to end today after the EU made a "ridiculous" 10-year call for access to fishing this afternoon and "big decisions are being made on hot wires between Berlin and Paris".

British officials alleged that the French president had pressured European Union negotiator Michel Barnier to take a tough stance.

But former UK Brexit Secretary David Davis said today that the BBC's breakfast this afternoon could move forward on other issues as both sides prepare to compromise, adding that the chances of a deal being hit are "always." still high ".

He told the BBC: "The big decisions this afternoon will not be made between the Prime Minister and the President of the Commission, but on wires that run hot between Berlin and Paris and other capitals."

A close ally of Macron said yesterday he would veto any trade deal that runs counter to French interests. According to British sources, the president did not respect Britain's independence and tried to protect his nation's businesses from competition.

British negotiators, led by Lord Frost, were shocked when the EU made “ridiculous” demands on fish for 10 years, including “full access” to British waters, meaning Britain would have no control, The Telegraph reported. Other sticking points are rules for government subsidies for companies and regulations for the monitoring of businesses.

A source warned there would be no deal if Mr. Macron didn't step down, but Mr. Barnier said today, "If there's still a way, we'll see".

Barnier's Tweet: Mr Barnier is expected to return to Brussels this morning to warn that the negotiations are in danger

British negotiators, led by Lord Frost, were shocked when the EU made “ridiculous” demands on fish for 10 years, including “full access” to British waters, meaning Britain would have no control, The Telegraph reported. In the picture, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier came to London for talks today

A close ally of Emmanuel Macron said yesterday that he would veto any trade deal that goes against French interests. According to British sources, the president did not respect Britain's independence and tried to protect his nation's businesses from competition. A source warned there would be no deal if Mr. Macron didn't step down. (Above Macron in Paris)

In a joint statement, Barnier and the Prime Minister's Chief Negotiator, David Frost (right) said: "The conditions for an agreement are not met due to significant differences in terms of level playing field, governance and fisheries." Boris Johnson will hold talks this afternoon with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in an attempt to save the process. But Lord Frost is supposed to believe that there is little prospect of progress unless EU leaders persuade Mr Macron to resign

A week of marathon negotiations, fueled by nightly pizzas, inconclusive broke off in London last night, but Mr Barnier was depicted in high spirits this morning when he arrived on another tough day of negotiation with a blue file.

In a joint statement, Barnier and the Prime Minister's Chief Negotiator, David Frost, said: "The conditions for an agreement are not met due to significant differences in terms of a level playing field, governance and fisheries."

The two envoys said the talks had been "suspended" so that political leaders could decide on the next step. Mr Barnier is expected to return to Brussels this morning to warn that the negotiations are in danger.

Mr Johnson will hold talks with European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen this afternoon to try to save the process.

But Lord Frost is supposed to believe that there is little prospect of progress unless EU leaders persuade Mr Macron to resign.

Talks on fisheries have stalled and Mr Macron has been pushing for French trawlers to maintain their existing access to British waters.

Mr Barnier is said to have called for a ten year transition to restricting access to EU fisheries – a period that Downing Street has deemed unacceptable.

A senior government official told The Times that the proposal was "not something we can approve or sell".

Another source told The Daily Telegraph: “Your new offer was frankly ridiculous. They know there is no way we can accept it. It's ridiculous. & # 39;

Although the UK is asking for 80 percent of the EU's current catch quotas, the EU has reverted to its original offer of only returning 18 percent.

If no agreement is reached, the two trading partners can negotiate with each other on terms of the World Trade Organization from the beginning of next month, when the Brexit transition period ends.

This would lead to the imposition of tariffs on a wide range of goods, including duties of at least 40 percent on lamb and 10 percent on cars. British sources believe Mr Macron put pressure on Mr Barnier to take a tougher stance, which reversed Thursday night's talks.

Mr Johnson was ready to accept the inclusion of "non-regression clauses" in the agreement, which would not have guaranteed cuts in current standards for state aid, labor rights and environmental standards

The two sides had focused on reaching an agreement on the "level playing field" issue, which has been bogged down for months. Above, sandwiches were delivered for today's talks taking place in the Department for Business in Westminster

The two sides had focused on reaching an agreement on the "level playing field" issue, which has been bogged down for months.

Mr Johnson was ready to accept the inclusion of "non-regression clauses" in the agreement, which would not have guaranteed cuts in current standards for state aid, labor rights and environmental standards.

But Mr Barnier is said to have then dramatically cut back earlier calls for a so-called "ratchet clause" so that the UK would follow future EU laws in these areas. Britain would be threatened with retaliatory tariffs if standards fell below those in the EU.

A UK source said: “Earlier this week we saw Macron get upset with other EU capitals for giving too much away. Then you see how Barnier brings this back and the whole process goes backwards. I think everyone can join the points.

“We want a deal, but it has to be based on the fact that we are a sovereign country again. Some people still seem to struggle with the concept that we will be an independent country making our own rules. If it stays that way, there will be no deal. & # 39;

British ministers now hope that Angela Merkel and other EU leaders will force Mr Macron to withdraw. Steffen Seibert, the spokesperson for the German Chancellor, warned last night that Berlin would not accept a deal "at any cost" but said his government believed there was "room for compromise".

Talks on fisheries have also stalled and Mr Macron has been pushing for French trawlers to keep their existing access to British waters. (Pictured Prime Minister and President Macron in June in London)

The French European Minister for Europe, Clement Beaune, had previously proposed to Mr Macron to veto the entire deal.

Mr Macron, who is due to be re-elected in 2022, has made lavish promises to French fishermen and is said to believe that blocking an agreement could increase his popularity. Mr Beaune insisted that Paris wanted a deal but added: “France is committed to the interests of its fishermen, is committed to fair trade.

“It is also the case with our partners that we speak out against it if there is a deal that is not good and which, in our opinion, does not correspond to these interests. Yes, every country has a veto, so it is possible. & # 39;

The negotiators had sought an agreement no later than tomorrow evening to have time to prepare and translate legal texts on hundreds of pages before an EU summit on Thursday, which is seen as a last chance.

Sources said it was possible negotiations could continue until early next week, but warned: "This time, time is really up."

Josh Hardie, assistant director general of the CBI, urged both sides to compromise. “I find it almost impossible to believe that politicians on both sides would allow our countries not to reach an agreement. Mutual interest in a deal has never been stronger after the pandemic – or in the middle of the pandemic -. & # 39;

Some Eurosceptic Tory MPs asked Mr Johnson to leave. Andrew Bridgen said: “I am very concerned that the Prime Minister will sign something unacceptable. If Boris sells us on Brexit, he's done, and I think he knows that. & # 39;

However, former Tory Minister Tobias Ellwood said, "It would be a backward step for the global UK."