British foreign minister Dominic Raab said the bar was quite high for continuing discussions but that negotiations could “drag on”. A Brexit without a trade deal would damage the economies of Europe, send shockwaves through financial markets, snarl borders and sow chaos through the delicate supply chains across Europe and beyond. Britain is expected to fast-track the movement of some perishable goods when its transition period ends to help reduce the expected disruption at ports. The Ministry of Defence said four Royal Navy patrol ships will be ready on Jan. 1 to help protect Britain’s fishing waters in the event of no deal. There are concerns about possible skirmishes between British and foreign fishing vessels under that scenario because existing rules that give EU boats access to British waters will expire.

Source: bd News24 December 13, 2020 10:52 UTC