Some conditions on EU trade deal 'unacceptable': UK premier

LONDON

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said some of the conditions on a post-Brexit trade deal are “unacceptable,” but the “deal is still there to be done” with the EU.

Johnson said the EU wants the UK to follow their rules even if the bloc have new legislation in the future and also to be the only country in the world to give up sovereignty over fishing waters.

“This is not something any prime minister would agree”, Johnson said in a weekly parliament session where he responds to questions from lawmakers.

Those conditions are “unacceptable”, he added.

Johnson’s remarks came hours before he travels to Brussels to hold a last-minute meeting with EU leaders on a post-Brexit trade deal.

He noted the government secured a withdrawal agreement.

"Whatever happens from January 1, this country will be able to get on with our points-based immigration system, instituting low tax free ports, introducing higher animal welfare standards, doing free trade deals and getting our money back," he added.

Johnson will meet EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss the sticking points of trade deal over a dinner.

"I look forward to welcoming UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tomorrow evening," von der Leyen tweeted on Tuesday.

"We will continue our discussion on the Partnership Agreement," she wrote.

Britain said on Tuesday it will drop articles of its Internal Market Bill, which contradict the UK Withdrawal Agreement.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said "agreement in principle" on all issues in the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee was reached following a meeting with European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic.

The trade deal needs to be finalized and ratified should it be agreed upon before the transition period ends to avoid chaos for businesses.

The UK left the EU at the end of January but a transition period to allow the parties to work on a trade deal kicked in until the end of the year.