Boris Johnson has cranked up the stakes ahead of post-Brexit showdowns with the EU by warning he will walk away from any trade deal which does not meet his red lines. A government source said: '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.' It sets up a spectacular showdown between Whitehall and EU trade negotiators when crunch talks kick off in March. 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 Mail February 02, 2020 02:17 UTC