Boris Johnson will tell the European Union he is prepared to accept border checks in a no-deal like scenario as tensions ratcheted up between the sparring sides. A Government source told the PA news agency that Mr Johnson would be prepared to accept a Canada-style free trade deal - a checks-lite trade arrangement that would allow tariff-free trade for the majority of goods, but that would not include the UK’s dominant services sector. Mr Varadkar said it was possible for Brussels to offer a Canada-style trade deal but it would need to establish a level playing field. 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: The Irish Times February 02, 2020 10:52 UTC