EU insider blows lid on how mood in Michel Barnier’s negotiating camp is switching | Politics | News

The developing feeling of despondency in Michel Barnier’s staff is fuelled by fears of a bitter no offer Brexit with EU negotiators braced for a vicious “blame video game” about who is responsible for the stalemate. Past week’s tense talks which finished in stalemate did practically nothing to lift flagging spirits in Brussels.

An EU insider mentioned: “Outsiders never realise how pessimistic we have turn into.

“We expect the mood to swap promptly to contingency setting up, in expectation the British isles will toss alone into the blame recreation somewhat than the end match.

“The concept that if we do conclusion up with no deal it’ll be since the EU underestimated the UK’s perseverance is misplaced.

“If it comes about it’ll be due to the fact there was no overlap of passions making it possible for a landing zone.”

Article-Brexit trade talks concerning the Uk and EU are “frozen” with both of those sides refusing to back again down on the key problems of fisheries and condition assist.

Mr Barnier warned agreeing a offer prior to the deadline now “appears to be unlikely”, as he advised Britain is “throwing away beneficial time”.

His United kingdom counterpart David Frost also warned “there has been minor progress” after the conclusion of the seventh spherical of talks previous Friday.

Both sides acknowledge time is working out to broker a deal ahead of the transition period will come to a near at the conclude of the yr, which would see Uk firms facing high tariffs for trade.

Examine More:Brexit Live: Brussels faces Big trade blow in advance of crunch talks 

Mr Frost explained he thinks an arrangement can nevertheless be struck, but he accused the EU of ruling out “any even further substantive do the job” unless the United kingdom accepts the bloc’s condition assist principles and fisheries plan.

A senior negotiating official for the British isles insisted “it is really not us that is slowing it down”, and dominated out accepting Mr Barnier’s place: “Naturally we’re not going to do that. So it truly is frozen.”

Just after a breakfast assembly between the major negotiators at the shut of the talks in Brussels, Mr Barnier was similarly as pessimistic about development.

He also reiterated the EU’s motivation to the stage-enjoying subject to stop businesses on just one facet undercutting their rivals on the other with decreased workers’ rights or environmental protections.

Mr Frost said they will “proceed to work difficult to access an agreement”, with the subsequent round of talks commencing in London in the week of September 7.

The two sides are at the moment in a changeover time period where the Uk follows the EU’s procedures and has accessibility to the single current market, but this ends on December 31.

Both equally functions have stated any offer needs to be concluded by October in order to be ratified.

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