Coronavirus: Brexit trade talks suspended after EU negotiator tests positive
- Pause adds uncertainty as deadline looms, with both sides still divided on key issues
- Existing trade agreements between Britain and European Union will expire on January 1
As if the Brexit trade negotiations were not tortuous enough, the coronavirus added a twist at a crucial stage on Thursday when top-level talks had to be suspended because an EU negotiator tested positive for Covid-19.
It added uncertainty to the negotiations as a deadline looms ever closer and both sides are still divided on three key issues.
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said that together with his British counterpart, David Frost, “we have decided to suspend the negotiations at our level for a short period”. Talks among lower-ranking officials will continue in the meantime.
Any long suspension of talks will make it tougher for the negotiators to clinch a deal ahead of January 1, when the existing trade agreements between the EU and Britain expire.
“We are discussing with them the implications for the negotiations. We have been, and will continue to, act in line with public health guidelines and to ensure the health and welfare of our teams,” the British government said in a statement.
The virus, which has been so brutal for people across the EU and Britain, did not spare the negotiations either. Barnier tested positive in March and Frost self-isolated that same month after developing coronavirus symptoms. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalised in April and is currently back in coronavirus quarantine until next Thursday.