- He will use his first official meeting with Ursula von der Leyen to issue warning
- Last night, Withdrawal Agreement Bill, continuing passage through Commons
- There are just 11 months to hammer out a trade deal after the UK leaves the EU
A new top Eurocrat will be warned by Boris Johnson today at No 10 that EU citizens will lose out if Brussels drags its feet on a post-Brexit trade deal.
He will use his first official meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, now president of the European Commission, to insist he will not countenance any extension of the transition beyond the end of this year.
Last night, the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which also rules out any extension, was continuing its passage through the Commons. During the transition period, most EU rules will stay in place.
Boris Johnson will use his first official meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, now president of the European Commission, to insist he will not countenance any extension of the transition beyond the end of this year
The tough stance revealed by a No 10 source means there are just 11 months to hammer out a trade deal after the UK leaves the EU at the end of this month.
The PM will also tell Mrs von der Leyen he wants a Canada-style free trade agreement without the close political alignment once planned by Theresa May.
The leaders will hold talks this afternoon and be joined by Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay and EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.
But the EU will not start detailed trade talks until the UK has left and it has agreed a negotiating mandate with other members, which is not likely until late March.
Mr Johnson could begin immediate trade talks with Washington to spur on the EU.
Meanwhile, Labour last night dropped an attempt to extend the transition period by another two years.
The PM will also tell Mrs von der Leyen he wants a Canada-style free trade agreement without the close political alignment once planned by Theresa May
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7862783/Boris-warns-EU-chief-European-citizens-lose-Brussels-drags-feet.html
