BORIS Johnson has said the UK needs to “get ready” for a No-Deal Brexit unless there is a “fundamental” change of direction from the EU.
Yesterday was the UK’s deadline to decide whether it would continue with talks as disagreements continued.
Speaking from Downing Street the Prime Minister would not say if the UK was willing to walk away from the process, but suggested the EU was not seriously considering his preferred option of a comprehensive free trade agreement similar to Canada’s.
The Tory leader said: "Given that they have refused to negotiate seriously for much of the last few months, I have concluded we should get ready for 1 January with arrangements more like Australia's based on simple principles of global free trade.
"I've concluded we should get ready for January 1 with arrangements that are more like Australia's"
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) October 16, 2020
PM Boris Johnson says the EU summit seems to have ruled out a Canada-style deal - based on free trade - for the UK https://t.co/JAKK6Em9ge pic.twitter.com/aqqV1yEx21
"So now is the time for our businesses to get ready, and for hauliers to get ready, and for travellers to get ready.
"Unless there is some fundamental change of approach - to offer this country the same terms as Canada. And so with high hearts and complete confidence we will prepare to embrace the alternative."
Australia does not have a comprehensive free trade agreement in place with the EU. They have some agreements in place, but most trade is done according to WTO rules.
Opposition parties have warned the UK cannot endure a No-Deal Brexit at the end of the year amid the problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
More to follow.
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