EU and UK Most Likely Will Not Reach a Trade Deal after Brexit

A trade deal is unlikely to be agreed with the UK by Sunday's deadline, European leaders have been warned according to Bbc.

They were told by European Commission boss Ursula von der Leyen no deal was the likeliest end to "difficult" talks.

Afterwards, French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU would stand firm on key principles such as access to its common market and fishing quotas.

The EU has rebuffed Boris Johnson's request to speak to Mr Macron and Germany's Angela Merkel individually.

The UK prime minister hoped to speak on the phone to the leaders of Europe's two largest economies but, according to EU officials, was told discussions could only take place through the bloc's negotiator Michel Barnier.

Speaking after Mrs von der Leyen's latest comments, Mr Johnson said a no deal outcome was "very likely" in the coming days unless there was a "big change" from the EU.

Time is running out to reach an agreement before the UK stops following EU trade rules on 31 December.

Weeks of intensive talks between officials have failed to overcome obstacles in key areas, including competition rules and fishing rights.

 Mrs von der Leyen, who met Mr Johnson on Wednesday for three hours of talks, has briefed European leaders, who have just held a two-day summit in Brussels.

According to EU officials, she struck a downbeat note about the chances of success, saying the "main obstacles" standing in the way of a deal - disagreements over fair competition rules, how a deal would be enforced and fishing quotas - remained in place.

She later told reporters that the two sides' positions "remained apart on fundamental issues".

 The EU is determined to prevent the UK from gaining what it sees as an unfair...