London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Aug 04, 2026

Brexit: Trade deal sticking points 'can be resolved', says UK minister

Brexit: Trade deal sticking points 'can be resolved', says UK minister

Sticking points over a post-Brexit trade agreement between the UK and EU "can be resolved" and a deal "can be done", says a government minister.

Environment Secretary George Eustice told the BBC's Andrew Marr "agreement exists" between the two sides.

But earlier, he told Sky News there was still "some way between us" and "time is very, very short" to agree a deal.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said talks have "got to make big progress" in the coming week.

He told Sky's Sophy Ridge getting a trade agreement was "difficult but also very doable", and the consequences of failing to would be "significant".

The talks between the UK and EU are due to resume on Monday in Brussels.

The UK's chief negotiator, Lord David Frost, has arrived in the city, tweeting that there had been "some progress in a positive direction in recent days".

But he said "significant elements" of the deal are yet to be agreed, adding: "We may not succeed."

Any deal between the UK and EU would need to be ratified by parliaments on both sides, so time is running out for an agreement to be reached and to get the sign off before 31 December.

The UK left the EU on 31 January, but continues to follow the bloc's rules until the end of the year while negotiations take place.

If there is no agreement at that point, trade between the two will default to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules - with tariffs set to be introduced on many imports and exports, which could push up costs.

Mr Eustice said there would be "some impact" in this situation, because of tariffs, but added most would be "quite modest".

However, he conceded products such as lamb being sold into the EU could face taxes of more than 40%.

'Emotive language'


The environment secretary told Andrew Marr: "We do want to get a free trade agreement with the European Union and an agreement could be done.

"We are not asking for anything remarkable. We are asking for an agreement akin to the one they have with Canada.

"We are asking for something that has got a precedent."

The main sticking points between the two sides are over competition rules - where governments give state aid support to businesses - and on fishing rights.

Mr Coveney said the conversation over fishing had become "very emotive" and both sides needed to "dial down the language", or the deal could collapse over the issue.

He added: "If a deal isn't done this week we have real problems. We are running out of time now."


George Eustice: "We're not asking for anything miraculous...it should be possible."



Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Reform UK Wants the Royal Navy to Return Channel Boats to France
US and Japan Step In to Support the Yen in Rare Joint Intervention
The AI Pricing Problem: Companies Cannot Predict Their Own Bills
Europe’s Heat and Drought Are Now Disrupting Power, Shipping and Tourism
Apple’s OpenAI Lawsuit Becomes a Public Fight Over AI Hardware
UK Man Jailed After Keeping His Mother’s Body in a Freezer and Claiming £78,000
A SpaceX Rocket Is About to Crash Into the Moon — and Scientists Hope to Watch
World War II munitions discovered after wildfires in southern France
BP profits reach four-year high amid Middle East conflict
Europe’s Drying Rivers Trigger Power Cuts, Factory Shutdowns and Wildfire Emergencies
UK Driver Sentenced to Four Years for Staged Electric Vehicle Brake Failure Fraud
Conservative Party and Reform UK Face Scrutiny During Clacton By-Election Campaign
Ministry of Justice Reviews Early Release Rules After Public Anger Over Police Killer Cases
NHS Radiographers Report Rising Racist Abuse From Patients Across UK Hospitals
UK Banking Regulators Face Pressure After Customer Loses Fourteen Thousand Pounds in AI Voice Scam
Research Challenges Treasury Control Over UK Public Spending and Calls for Greater Local Decision-Making
Home Office Begins Four-Week Weapons Surrender Campaign Across Major English Cities
Southern England Records Driest July in Nearly Two Centuries as Drought Concerns Grow
Apple Challenges UK Government Request for Access to Encrypted User Data in Legal Fight
BP Reports Sharp Profit Increase as Middle East Conflict Drives Global Oil Prices Higher
Nigel Farage Expresses Openness to Potential Alliance with Restore Britain
AstraZeneca Merger Talks Reflect Intensifying Pharmaceutical Consolidation
University Merger May Set Template for Higher Education Reform
Apple's Legal Challenge Highlights Growing Tension Over Encryption and Surveillance
Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Agenda Signals Shift Toward Greater Regional Devolution
Mental Health Trust Faces Criticism Over Planned £25 Million Budget Cuts
Scientists and Cultural Leaders Call for Funding to Save Jodrell Bank Observatory
UK Manufacturing Output Reaches Highest Level in Nearly Two Years
University of Greenwich and University of Kent Complete Landmark Merger
Nigel Farage Unveils Naval Border Proposal Amid Questions Over £5 Million Donation
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges Tougher Action on Small Boat Crossings
Apple Challenges UK Government Over Encrypted Data Access Demands
AstraZeneca Shares Fall After Reports of $400 Billion Bristol Myers Squibb Merger Talks
Triple Lock Lifts UK State Pension but Leaves a Wider Retirement Gap
Danube Drought Forces Hungary’s Paks Nuclear Plant Into Full Shutdown
Ceuta Death Toll Rises as Spain and Europe Clash Over Border Response
Cuba’s Grid Fails Again as Fuel Crisis Deepens
Nazca Lines Flight Crash Kills Thirteen as Peru Suspends Aerodiana
Modern Slavery Decisions Broaden the Al Fayed Inquiry’s Frame
FIFA’s Retreat Leaves a Larger Question Over Who Guards the Game
Two Firefighting Crew Members Die in Helicopter Collision West of Athens
Public Sector Automation Through Artificial Intelligence
Regional Investment Beyond London
Protection of Strategic Technology Assets
UK Competition Regulator Blocks Major Foreign Takeover of British Quantum Computing Firm
UK Government Commits Two Billion Pounds to Modernise Northern Rail Network
UK Parliament Approves Planning Reforms to Accelerate Housing Construction on Green Belt Land
Scotland Approves Major Floating Offshore Wind Expansion in the North Sea
United Kingdom and European Union Sign Defence and Critical Minerals Cooperation Agreement
NHS Invests Five Hundred Million Pounds in Artificial Intelligence Diagnostics to Reduce Waiting Lists
×