Gap "needs to be bridged" in current UK-EU trade talks: UK PM

Source: Xinhua| 2020-12-18 23:25:15|Editor: huaxia
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Photo taken on Dec. 18, 2020 shows a departing container ship (L) at Southampton Port in Southampton, Britain. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday that Britain and the European Union (EU) will continue the post-Brexit trade talks, but there remains "a gap that needs to be bridged". The British and EU leaders have previously said significant differences still remain between the two sides on three critical issues: level playing field, governance and fisheries. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)

LONDON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday that Britain and the European Union (EU) will continue the post-Brexit trade talks, but there remains "a gap that needs to be bridged".

"Obviously, the UK's position is always that we want to keep talking if there's any chance of a deal," Johnson told Sky News.

"But we've also got to recognize that the UK's got to be able to control its own laws, it's what people voted for, and we've also got to be able to control our waters and fishing rights," he said.

The prime minister acknowledged that "things are looking difficult" and a no-deal Brexit "may be difficult at first".

But the prime minister reiterated that Britain would "prosper mightily" even under such a scenario.

"I think we've just got to get through this period and look to all the opportunities that will open up to this country in 2021," he said.

On Thursday, Johnson underlined the post-Brexit trade negotiations between Britain and the EU were now "in a serious situation", according to a Downing Street spokesperson.

"Time was very short and it now looked very likely that agreement would not be reached unless the EU position changed substantially," said the spokesperson in a statement issued after a phone call between Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Thursday evening.

The British and EU leaders have previously said significant differences still remain between the two sides on three critical issues: level playing field, governance and fisheries. Latest reports suggested that fishing rights remains the last major sticking point between the two sides.

In a bid to unlock the stalemate in post-Brexit trade talks, Johnson and von der Leyen have made several phone conversations instead of face-to-face discussions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To bring life back to normal, countries including Britain, China, Germany, Russia, and the United States are racing against time to find a vaccine.

The trade negotiations are at a crucial stage as time is running out for both sides to secure a deal before the Brexit transition period expires at the end of the year.

Failure to reach a free trade agreement means bilateral trade will fall back on World Trade Organization (WTO) rules in 2021.

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