Brexit trade negotiations may need to be extended, EU chief warns

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is concerned about ‘how little time’ there is to seal trade and other deals by the end of 2020

She is suggesting an extension of the transition period but British PM Boris Johnson does not want any further delays

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has questioned the feasibility of the 2020 year-end deadline to conclude Brexit trade and other negotiations. Photo: DPA

Published: 9:00pm, 27 Dec 2019Updated: 2:05am, 28 Dec 2019

The European Union and Britain will struggle to seal an agreement on trade and other aspects of their future ties after Brexit next year and should consider extending the negotiations beyond 2020, a top EU official said in an interview published on Friday.

The UK is set to leave the EU on January 31. If it does, it will be the first time a country has left the world’s biggest trading bloc.

Negotiations between the remaining members and the British government on future trade, fisheries, education and transport relations can only begin after that date and must conclude by the end of 2020.

“I am very concerned about how little time we have,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the French business newspaper Les Echos.

“It seems to me that, on both sides, we should seriously consider whether the negotiations are feasible in such a short time.”

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seen during the second reading of the Brexit Bill in the House of Commons. Photo: AFP

“I think it would be reasonable to take stock in the middle of the year and if necessary, agree on an extension to the transition period,” Von der Leyen said.