Britain’s Johnson clashes with European Union over future trade deal

The British PM set out his negotiating stance on a post-Brexit trade deal on Monday, as the bloc’s chief negotiator gave a rival speech in Brussels

The speeches represent the first formal exchanges between the two sides in what looks certain to be a hard-edged and tense negotiation

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:51pm, 3 Feb 2020Updated: 8:51pm, 3 Feb 2020

The Brexit battle between the UK and the European Union resumed as British leader Boris Johnson clashed with the bloc’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier at the start of 11 months of talks on a future trade deal.

Barnier said in Brussels that a “highly ambitious” trade deal is on offer for the UK – but only if Johnson signs up to rules to prevent unfair competition. Speaking minutes later in London, Johnson rejected Barnier’s demand and insisted the UK will thrive even if negotiations fail.

He said instead the UK would be happy with a relationship based on Australia’s far looser arrangements with the EU. Australia does not have a formal trade deal with the EU and faces World Trade Organisation tariffs and barriers in many areas.

The rival speeches – which took place almost simultaneously on Monday morning – represent the first formal exchanges between the two sides in what looks certain to be a hard-edged and tense negotiation.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. Photo: AFP

“The question is whether we agree a trading relationship with the EU comparable to Canada’s or more like Australia’s,” Johnson told an audience of business executives and EU ambassadors in Greenwich, East London. “I have no doubt that in either case the UK will prosper mightily.”