Boris Johnson refuses to rule out UK and EU failing to strike trade deal in 2020

In his first interview of the new year with BBC Breakfast, Boris Johnson refused to rule out the UK and the EU failing to reach a trade deal by the end of 2020. 
Asked what the chances were of the two sides achieving a comprehensive trade deal by the end of 2020, he refused to give a percentage, but said it was 'very likely'.  Pressed on how confident he was, Johnson said it was 'enormously likely, how about that. Epically likely'. 

The Guardian YouTube network:

[StuMas]

*That''s it, Guardian - make the most of every little opportunity to knock Brexit - while it lasts. Your days are numbered!*

[matthewevans]

Alternative title to this video "Boris Johnson says it is "Very very very likely we will get a trade deal"

[paulhoskin]

As each day passes the difference between trump and bulldog Boris gets less and less

[hongkongphooey]

boris should focus on uk-us trade deal and how the two can put a noose around eu's neck should they misbehave.

[joebloggs]

"people are saying" no they aren't. The people support Boris.

[utubebroadcaster]

It's much worse than that: for the foreseeable future, the EU will make laws and decisions that affect the UK, but the UK will have no say in it.

After Brexit, the EU will not magically vanish in a puff of smoke, and neither will its influence. The UK will find itself on the doorstep of a much larger political bloc that it depends on for about half of its trade. That bloc will handle all its foreign economic (trade treaties) and most of its political business (cooperation treaties) as a unified whole. It also has the explicit political mandate to maintain control over its internal market, on which the UK depends, through regulation and judicial control. UK companies, and even the UK government, will have no choice but to either follow EU regulations and standards, or lose access to the EU market. No free trade agreement will ever change that, because if it did then such an agreement would not be in the EU's interest and would not get approved.

In short, Brexit is not "taking back control", it's "losing real power and influence in return for the illusion of control". The brutal truth is that ever since the second world war only a super power could exert meaningful control over its environment. The UK is not a super power any more and has not been one since the late 19th century. The European Union is a concerted effort to pool the economic and political resources of 28/27 small and medium sized countries to reach a point where it can exert that control and project power to safeguard its members' interests. So far, it has largely succeeded at that and there is no reason why it would not continue to succeed in the future. Meanwhile, the UK has a simple choice: become a satellite state of either the EU or the USA, depending on which regulatory and diplomatic system it wants to accept. So far, the UK government seems to move toward the latter.

Enjoy project reality

[zenex]

Boris looks worn out, can't blame him tbh.

[joebloggs]

Omg it's like groundhog day 😂 remoaners are so thick.

[koreyleigh]

WHY IS BORIS JOHNSON SUCKING UP TO THE BBC???.

[laurendilario]

This man needs to step down before the end of the year

[DirtyDrops]

He just does not come across as a leader

[flippop]

Prince Harry has jumped ship, Scotland will be next!

[Junyo]

The UK and Europe striking a deal is highly unlikely. Neither party has much to gain and a lot to lose from such a deal.

[ashleyfairway.]

Meanwhile Patel is starting the first moves to push the country to the far right.

[thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

Let’s just end this ridiculous “transition period” as soon as it starts and forget about this Trade Agreement nonsense.

[gregjeffrey]

Boris Johnson subjecting himself to a tough interview. 🤔🤣🤣🤣🤣