Brexit UK too slow in making its Brexit demands for trade, say EU diplomats Whitehall failure to formally ask for continuation of non-EU deals cited as an example of lethargy Brexit secretary David Davis is due on Friday to deliver a keynote speech, which may form the basis of coming talks. The Department of International Trade has said it has had fruitful talks with a host of non-EU countries on the issue. There are concerns that negotiations with non-EU countries could become complicated, with just 13 months before the deadline to complete them. “We are having to guess their positions, and then formulate our own compromise positions - it’s ridiculous”, said a second EU diplomat, with knowledge of behind-the-scenes discussions. The member states are still divided on whether they could extend the transition period at the request of the UK.

Source: The Guardian January 25, 2018 16:25 UTC