Brexit: EU 'to prepare' for future trade talks with UK ~ Sportty

Brexit: EU 'to prepare' for future trade talks with UK

European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier

The EU is to begin preparing for its post-Brexit trade negotiations with the UK, while refusing to discuss the matter with the British government.

An internal draft document seen by the BBC suggests the 27 European Union countries should discuss trade among themselves while officials in Brussels prepare the details.

The draft text could yet be revised.

It comes as the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said there was "deadlock" over the UK's Brexit bill.

As the fifth round of talks ended in Brussels on Thursday, Mr Barnier said there had not been enough progress to move to the next stage of post-Brexit trade talks, but added that he hoped for "decisive progress" by the time of the December summit of the European Council.