LONDON – IMF urges post-Brexit trade extension

The UK and EU should “not to add to uncertainty” in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic by keeping alive the threat of no trade deal this year and no extension to talks, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has told the BBC.

“It is tough as it is, let’s not make it any tougher,” said Georgieva.

At a video-conference on Wednesday (15 April), UK chief negotiator David Frost repeated the government’s determination to conclude a new trade deal with the EU before the end of 2020. Three further rounds of negotiation via video-conference have been scheduled before a planned ‘high level’ meeting in June where the two sides will take stock of progress.

Although insiders believe that Boris Johnson’s government is likely to agree to an extension citing delays caused by the COVID-19 crisis, the government’s official position that a law passed in January ruling rules out any further extension remains unchanged. (Benjamin Fox, EURACTIV.com)