Can Boris Johnson salvage a post-Brexit trade deal? - BBC Newsnight

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will travel to Brussels this week to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a last ditch effort to salvage a post-Brexit trade deal.

It comes after a 90 minute phone call between the two leaders failed to produce a breakthrough.

In a joint statement, they said the conditions for a deal were "not there". "Significant differences" remained on fishing, business competition rules and governance of any deal, they added.

"We asked our chief negotiators and their teams to prepare an overview of the remaining differences to be discussed in a physical meeting in Brussels in the coming days," the leaders said in their statement.

[Daniel-llqp]

The “they don’t treat us like everyone else” argument doesn’t really hold any water. The countries used as a comparison here are trying to move closer to the EU on trade, not trying to break away from it. It’s baffling that even at this late stage, many Brexiteers can’t grasp this basic fact.

[gordonsmith]

The 'problem' (apart from the BBC's negative presentation since 2016) are the EU's unacceptable demands.

[tonytresigne]

They're all politicians playing a game. It's in all of their interests to leave it until the last second

[ianredpath]

As far as I am concerned we have left the EU. Political leaders U.K. and self-serving. Not interested in the people they are meant to serve.

[dylanhunt]

So we can't cherry pick what we want from the EU... what a shocker..

[IamYourMaster]

Who saw the option of any deal in the referendum?
Leave means leave. With or without a deal. LEAVE!!

[tommorgan]

The idea of wanting to go off and make your own trade deals and still have no border with the EU is crazy.

[derekwhyle]

There isn’t going to be a deal. The EU will not allow an independent G7 economy with a shared border to have unfettered access to the single market without strict conditions and controls. If we accept those conditions it will become obvious to even the most dim witted Brexit voter that there was little point in leaving the EU.

[stevemak]

No mention of the Internal Markets Bill. Am I wrong that they do not seem to grasp the disgust and concern that the bill has engendered in the EU and around the world? I would be flabbergasted if my government concluded any deal with this government.

[peterwood]

I carnt think, what is more corrupt, the BBC licence fee? The British government or the EU, maybe all three deserve flogging.

[floydnotpink]

The fact that Maitlis doesn't think Johnson knows what he is doing tells me that he knows EXACTLY what he is doing. He is appeasing the remainers so that he can in the end say "I tried, I really tried." What Johnson is aiming for is for the EU to walk away so that he avoids any legal challenges later on that he didn't want a deal. When we have left by default THEN he will start to negotiate AS AN INDEPENDENT NATION for a deal. And he will get one. Maitlis is too thick to see the wood for the trees.

[fritsgerms]

BoJo is just going as to say goodbye in person. And then claim he tried his best to get that oven ready deal. it was always going to be a no deal with Borris and his buddies.

[pipellis]

BoJo’s bungling will put the U.K. into financial and logistical collapse...allowing EU countries to move into the markets once dominated by the U.K.
But the U.K. will still be able to sell arms to any murderous regime.... and it’s people need to get familiar with plenty of fish recipes.
He’s traded a few fish for our car industry, Airbus employees, Financial Institutions, ( many already moved to Frankfurt and Dublin)
Watch as our pensions collapse, food prices rise (40% is imported from EU).
We were 1 of 28.... now we are 1 of 1. Led by a bumbling, buffoon, who has never been in business, has no empathy for others, can’t cope with Devolution...or tie his own laces.

[vagabond-yjpn]

Boris Johnson can’t even comb his own hair.

[floydnotpink]

For heaven's sake Maitlis, last ditch, last chance, last ditch last chance, last ditch, last chance...repeat to fade. Can't you see what is going on woman! Both sides are playing a blame game. He who leaves the room first gets the blame and the negotiator still in the room avoids a legal comeback. This will go on until both sides run out of time and then the EU will get the blame for not recognising sovereignty. Maitlis has previously accused Boris of not knowing what he is doing. On the contrary he knows EXACTLY what he is doing.

[jonog]

Do they not understand they have just automatically taxed their exports if they do no deal.

[YUDNSAY]

Get.It.Done. 🤬or step down Bojo😶

[xmatosjoao]

12:50 The UK wants a Swiss EFTA style deal? Switzerland has bi-lateral agreements that makes a large part of EU law applicable in Switzerland, like the free movement of people, regulations on products standards, contributions to EU budget, etc. Are you saying the brexiters would agree with all that?
Let’s stop this nonsense deal picking charade and be honest for a change.

[Detector]

Hannan is totally clueless. No, the Uk is in economic terms NOT an equal, it that simple. The EU is a market of 450 million people and to gewt to export into that market with no tariffs is just objectivly better than to export into a market with 66 million tariff free. This isn't rocket science. So yes, the EU giving tariff free access to its market is a bigger concession than if the UK did the same.

[wtc-ds]

I don't think many people listen to the Biased Broadcast Corporation's opinion any more.