The U.K.’s chief Brexit negotiator said Sunday before renewed talks that a trade deal with the European Union may not succeed, but he was still hopeful of a resolution.
LONDON — The U.K.’s chief Brexit negotiator said Sunday before renewed talks that a trade deal with the European Union may not succeed, but he was still hopeful of a resolution. Arriving in Brussels, David Frost tweeted that “there has been some progress in a positive direction in recent days.” “We also now largely have common draft treaty texts, though significant elements are of course not yet agreed,” he said. “We will work to build on these and get an overall agreement if we can. But we may not succeed.” Britain left the EU on Jan.31, but continues to follow the bloc’s economic rules until a transition period ends on Dec.31. The two sides are trying to strike a new trade deal before then, but key sticking points such as fishing rights and competition rules haven’t been resolved. The two sides say any post-Brexit deal must be agreed upon by mid-November in time for it to be ratified by year-end.
