The outcome being pursued by the prime minister in the Brexit trade talks will not avoid costly friction at the border
The narrow EU deal sought by Boris Johnson will act as a “dead weight” on Britain’s ability to trade, the former boss of the Brexit department has warned, amid rising concerns that the country remains dangerously ill prepared for such an outcome.
Negotiations with the EU remained stuck this weekend after Downing Street told EU negotiators not to bother making a planned trip to London without offering a “fundamental change of approach”. The prime minister stopped short of calling off talks, which will continue this week. In a sign of the severity of business unease, more than 70 trade associations and professional bodies today issue an extraordinary joint plea to both sides to carve out a deal.
