How close is the UK to a post-Brexit trade deal? - BBC Newsnight

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reiterated he is "confident” the UK “will prosper" outside the EU if a post-Brexit trade deal is not agreed with the bloc.

Talks began again in Brussels on 16 November, with the UK's chief negotiator saying there had been "progress".

Lord David Frost told reporters: "We're working very hard to get a deal but there's quite a lot to do."

His EU counterpart, Michel Barnier, said he wanted "future cooperation to be open but fair" with the UK.

Tweeting as talks started, he added: "We remain determined, patient, respectful."
Sticking points between the two sides focus on competition rules and state aid for businesses, as well as fishing rights.

How close is the UK to a post-Brexit trade deal? Where will there be compromise?

Newsnight's Political Editor Nick Watt reports and Kirsty Wark is joined by former First Secretary of State Damian Green, the SNP MP Philippa Whitford and Conservative MP Peter Bone.

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Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.

[cooldesertknight]

Year 2028 : UK Brexit talks continues.

[voodooguy]

People need to realise this is not a negotiation between equals. The EU is a huge economic powerhouse and the UK is a relatively small country. It's 27 counties versus 1 so why did you believe politicians who told you getting a great deal would be easy? Finally, does anyone here think the US and UK would negotiate as equals and getting a great deal would be easy?

[suzefraser]

I‘m staying in Germany and Brexit is hardly ever on the news. People over here don’t seem to be interested that much any more.
It seems to me that for people over here Brexit has lost its scary appearance and they’re just moving on with their life.
People are thinking far more about what kind of Christmas they‘ll be having this year instead of thinking or talking about Brexit.

[hihosilveraway]

How convenient, when the going gets tough an excuse for more time in the fridge

[SerenityMLSAMLN]

I'm so tired of Brexit. No clarity, nobody knows what's happening, negotiations gets nowhere, and you won't know where EU/UK seriously stands on the Brexit issues or what they're planning. Wish it could be over.

[ebajjj]

Wrong question. The question should have been:
"How far is the UK from a post-Brexit trade deal?"
To leave the EU is the strangest thing I´ve ever heard. Brexit seems to be this special British humor to put harm on its country just for fun. Soon you will be Puerto Rico II. Part of the US but no voice.

[gretareinarsson]

So basically English fisherman are now claiming the the same as Iceland did against the UK in the Cod-wars, and Iceland famously defeated the UK.

[keshavvikram]

why can't he get a test. He is just doing this in order to insight fear

[Roof_Pizza]

How close is Boris from getting a decent haircut? Same.

[lindasimmons]

Boris is the U.K.‘s version of Trump...loud and incompetent

[markopodganjek]

Here is the deal :-) Best deal for both sides is current EU deal. Second best "deal" is no deal for both sides. which is now most possible solution, because both sides have too big expectations for any compromise alternative. :-) so, it won't be deal

[Jeffcrocodile]

Well that is not true. Whatever happens, in January European fishermen will keep fishing in UK waters because they hold the licenses they bought from the UK fishermen. It's incredible how badly informed this people are.

[happychappy]

1. UK mostly eat Norwegian cod.
2. Most fish caught round UK gets exported through EU.

[Greenpoloboy]

They originally said they needed a deal by October 15th (10 weeks before 2021) to have enough time to get it into place

[public.public]

The English sold off most of their fishing rights...
You can't just take back what you sold off unless of course you want to Venezuela the economy.
The Scots didn't sell off ther fishing and the Scots didn't vote for brexit.

[尺乇卩几乇山丂]

*THIS LIAR HAS PROBABLY SIGNED A DEAL AND SOLD US OUT.*

[johnfogarty]

Welcome to your daily dose of comment section Lunatics

[ravern]

It will hurt the EU more than us? hang on the EU is individual countries so 50% to the UK and a few % to each EU country. whos hurting the most if there is no deal?

[YouDntSay]

"We will leave the EU and stay inside the Customs Union and the Single Market!" (B Johnson on 22.6.2016)

"We hold all the cards and we will give them a deal on their plea for help." (Patrick Minford)

[public.public]

They haven't even been trying to get a deal.