Tories Take Tough Line with EU Bureaucrats over Trade Deals and threaten to walk away from post-Brexit talks

By Tony Winterburn • Published: 27 Feb 2020 • 12:00

The prime minister warns Brussels that Britain will walk away without a trade deal if necessary.

Boris Johnson has warned the EU that Britain wants an agreement within four months, or else it will revert to no-deal plans.

If Brussels has not agreed to the UK’s key demands Britain will begin preparations to leave the EU without a trade deal in just four months.

The UK’s mandate for trade negotiations with the EU, published this morning, makes clear that if the “broad outline” of a deal is not agreed by June, the Government will switch its attention to exiting the transition period without one at the end of the year.

It would mean businesses being told they had six months to prepare for disruption at the borders, with customs checks, tariffs and quotas all likely to be imposed as Britain began trading with the EU under World Trade Organisation rules.

The 30-page document setting out Britain’s demands for a deal, which follows the publication of the EU’s mandate earlier this week, puts huge pressure on Brussels to agree to Mr. Johnson’s vision for future trade, or risk extensive friction at the borders.

Boris Johnson also warned the EU that Britain will not follow any of its rules in future trade deals.