British and EU said negotiations broke up having made little progress this week, with just one more round before the two sides must decide whether to extend the process, or walk away altogether.
Sensitive issues of fishing rights and a “level playing field” on workplace and environmental regulations still stand in the way of a deal, with the UK’s chief negotiator David Frost warning: “We very much need a change in EU approach for the next round”.
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier claimed the British side “did not engage in a real discussion” on the most difficult issues.