BRUSSELS/LONDON,Dec 11,2020: Britain is more likely to leave the European Union’s orbit on Dec. 31 without a trade deal than with an agreement, an EU official quoted the head of the European Commission as telling the bloc’s 27 national leaders on Friday.
Britain quit the EU in January but remains an informal member until Dec. 31 – the end of a transition period during which it has remained in the EU single market and customs union.
Both sides say they want to agree arrangements to cover nearly $1 trillion in annual trade, but talks are deadlocked and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday there was “a strong possibility” an agreement would not be clinched.
