THE DEADLINE IS EXPIRING SOON The United Kingdom is 'ready' for the failure of the Brexit negotiations, the issue of trade remains controversial Charles Michel called on Britain to 'put tickets on the table' in trade talks still at a dead end Writes: HinaPublished: October 07, 2020 9:30 p.m. Boris Johnson Boris Johnson JESSICA TAYLOR / UK PARLIAMENT / AFP Facebook Twitter Messenger E-mail The United Kingdom said on Wednesday it was "ready" for the failure of trade talks with the European Union, which remain deadlocked as the post-Brexit transition period draws to a close, despite the danger of a sudden halt to trade on 1 January. In a telephone conversation with European Council President Charles Michel, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson "emphasized our clear commitment to trying to reach an agreement" and that "the United Kingdom is nevertheless ready to end the transitional period under 'Australian conditions' (meaning no agreement) if not can reach an agreement, "Downing Street said in a statement. European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday called on Britain to "put the cards on the table" in post-Brexit trade relations talks that are still deadlocked. "The EU favors the deal, but not at any cost," he tweeted. "It's time for Britain to put the cards on the table," he added as Europeans reproach London that it has not yet entered the heart of the negotiations and is threatening a "no deal" or exit without an agreement. A European source added that the two leaders "assessed the state" of the talks in a 20-minute conversation. "We will continue to work for an agreement that suits both parties and we call on the UK to move in, but we are not sure about anything," he added. Another source said the interview with Charles Michel was arranged at the request of Boris Johnson. British Brexit negotiator David Frost said on Wednesday that London would have to continue negotiations with the EU if a comprehensive trade agreement could not be reached, stressing that the issue of air and road freight would be a priority. RELATED NEWS Boris Johnson BORIS'S DANGEROUS GAME The British trampled on the word, Brussels was overwhelmed by the controversial law: We have only one step BREXIT DISPUTE British lawmakers have confirmed a controversial bill despite threats from a Brussels court "Even if we conclude, collectively, that a free trade agreement is not possible, it is obvious that there are still many practical issues that we will have to discuss," Frost said. “We still have to agree on some solutions for air and road transport of goods and other things,” he added. Frost also said London "would not want to conclude an agreement that would not meet the reasonable expectations of British fishermen". But if the agreements lead to the goal London wants to achieve in a future fisheries agreement with the EU, transitional solutions could be agreed, Frost said. The two sides are moving closer to an agreement that will regulate trade worth $ 900 billion after December 31, but the contentious issues remain fisheries, state subsidies and a level playing field. Europeans and Britons have been talking in London since Wednesday and those informal meetings are due to continue until Friday. London has set a deadline of 15 October, when a European summit is held in Brussels, to reach an agreement. Boris Johnson said Wednesday that the date remains. Europeans, on the other hand, set a deadline at the end of the month.