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| Brexit: France warns UK of bitter trade negotiations | Brexit: France warns UK of bitter trade negotiations |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| France has warned Britain to expect a bruising battle with the EU in post-Brexit trade negotiations. | France has warned Britain to expect a bruising battle with the EU in post-Brexit trade negotiations. |
| French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian predicted the two sides would "rip each other apart" as they strove for advantage in the negotiations. | |
| He also said it would be tough for the UK to achieve its aim of agreeing a free trade deal by the end of the year. | |
| The UK government said it wanted a deal based on "friendly co-operation between sovereign equals". | The UK government said it wanted a deal based on "friendly co-operation between sovereign equals". |
| The UK formally left the EU two weeks ago but still trades like a member under a transition period which ends on 31 December. | The UK formally left the EU two weeks ago but still trades like a member under a transition period which ends on 31 December. |
| Speaking at a security conference in Munich on Sunday, Mr Le Drian said the two sides were far apart on a range of issues. | |
| He said: "I think that on trade issues and the mechanism for future relations, which we are going to start on, we are going to rip each other apart. | He said: "I think that on trade issues and the mechanism for future relations, which we are going to start on, we are going to rip each other apart. |
| "But that is part of negotiations, everyone will defend their own interests." | "But that is part of negotiations, everyone will defend their own interests." |
| Mr Le Drian, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, is the latest senior EU figure to warn that the negotiations will be difficult. | Mr Le Drian, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, is the latest senior EU figure to warn that the negotiations will be difficult. |
| European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and chief negotiator Michel Barnier have both cast doubt on Boris Johnson's aim to reach a comprehensive agreement by the end of the year. | European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and chief negotiator Michel Barnier have both cast doubt on Boris Johnson's aim to reach a comprehensive agreement by the end of the year. |
| The EU has repeatedly warned that the UK cannot expect to enjoy continued "high quality" market access if it insists on diverging from EU social and environmental standards. | The EU has repeatedly warned that the UK cannot expect to enjoy continued "high quality" market access if it insists on diverging from EU social and environmental standards. |
| There is expected to be a particularly tough fight over fishing rights, with the EU insisting continued access to UK waters must form part of any agreement. | There is expected to be a particularly tough fight over fishing rights, with the EU insisting continued access to UK waters must form part of any agreement. |
| Mr Johnson, in turn, has said the UK will act as an "independent coastal state" taking control of its own fisheries. | Mr Johnson, in turn, has said the UK will act as an "independent coastal state" taking control of its own fisheries. |
| A Downing Street spokesperson said: "Our approach is clear - we are not asking for anything special, bespoke or unique, but are looking for a deal like those the EU has struck previously with other friendly countries like Canada. | A Downing Street spokesperson said: "Our approach is clear - we are not asking for anything special, bespoke or unique, but are looking for a deal like those the EU has struck previously with other friendly countries like Canada. |
| "We want a relationship based on friendly cooperation between sovereign equals, one centred on free trade and inspired by our shared history and values." | "We want a relationship based on friendly cooperation between sovereign equals, one centred on free trade and inspired by our shared history and values." |