Britain and the EU are 'giving it a final push' to strike a post-Brexit trade deal, Michel Barnier said this afternoon, amid mounting speculation an accord is now close. His comments came after it emerged that Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen held a secret phone call yesterday to discuss the state of the talks and as negotiators appeared to be inching towards a breakthrough on fishing rights. Number 10 did not deny the undisclosed call took place, with the two leaders having previously committed to 'remain in close contact' as the clock ticks down to the end of the 'standstill' transition period. Should the two sides fail to strike a trade accord they will trade on basic World Trade Organisation terms from January 1 which will mean tariffs being imposed on goods. Mr Johnson has repeatedly said he is willing to split from the bloc without a trade accord in place.

Source: Daily Mail December 22, 2020 13:11 UTC