Brussels insist the European Court of Justice (ECJ) will keep jurisdiction over matters relating to any trade deal. Critics say Mr Johnson and his ministers are simply trying to ramp up the rhetoric ahead of the negotiations. A Government source explained: "There are only two likely outcomes in negotiation - a free trade deal like Canada or a looser arrangement like Australia - and we are happy to pursue both." According to the Observer, the EU will back Spain over its territorial claims to the British overseas territory by giving Madrid the power to exclude its population of 34,000 people from any potential trade deal. The Sunday Telegraph reported that a trade deal is earmarked to be agreed with Japan by Christmas, followed by more agreements with Australia and New Zealand in mid 2021.

Source: Daily Mirror February 02, 2020 13:07 UTC