LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned his top ministers on Tuesday it was far from certain that a trade agreement would be reached with the European Union but that Britain would thrive with, or without, a deal.
With only a little more than six weeks before Britain completes its journey out of the EU by ending a transitional arrangement, both sides are urging each other to shift position to allow for a deal to govern nearly $1 trillion (754.2 billion pounds) in annual trade.
Both say progress has been made but it is far from clear whether or what trade-offs they are considering as they head for the final stretch of talks. Differences remain on fair competition guarantees and fisheries.
At a cabinet meeting, Johnson told his top ministers his position had not changed – he wanted a deal but not at “the cost of our core principles around sovereignty and control over our laws, borders, money and our fish”, his spokesman said.