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Brexit Brinkmanship: UK, EU Tell Each Other to Move on Trade

Reuters

   LONDON - Britain and the European Union said on Monday the door was
   still open to a deal, calling on each other to compromise to find a way
   to protect billions of dollars of trade between the neighbors.
   With just over two months before Britain ends a status quo transition
   arrangement with the EU, both sides are deadlocked over a way forward
   to try to secure a trade deal with neither wanting to move first to
   offer concessions.
   A no-deal finale to the United Kingdom's five-year Brexit crisis would
   disrupt the operations of manufacturers, retailers, farmers and nearly
   every other sector-- just as the economic hit from the coronavirus
   pandemic worsens.
   European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic repeated on Monday
   that the EU still wanted a trade deal with Britain but not "at any
   cost" after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday there
   was no point in continuing talks.
   "It has to be a fair agreement for both sides-- we are not going to
   sign an agreement at any cost," Sefcovic told reporters after meeting
   Michael Gove, Britain's point man on the existing divorce agreement, in
   London.

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