UK, EU say talks will continue on post-Brexit trade deal

13 December 2020, 2:37 pm

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Britain and the European Union say talks will continue on a free trade agreement — a deal that if sealed would avert New Year’s chaos for cross-border traders and bring a measure of certainty for businesses after years of Brexit turmoil.

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a visit to the National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, England, December 11, 2020. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had set today as the deadline for a breakthrough or breakdown in negotiations.

But they step back from the brink, saying it is “responsible at this point in time to go the extra mile” and that they have told their negotiators to continue talking.

With less than three weeks until the UK’s final split from the EU, key aspects of the future relationship between the 27-nation bloc and its former member remain unresolved.

— AP