I started a different Brexit thread here recently in the wake of the Internal Markets Bill fiasco.
Despite the provocation of the UK saying we were prepared to tear up the Withdrawal Agreement and to hell with international law, talks have kept going. We are getting very close to the wire with respect to national parliaments having time to ratify a deal; latest reports are that both sides are failing to find common ground on a) state aid and b) fishing rights.
The two sides have been at odds over the issue of so-called “state aid” rules, which limit government help for industry in the name of ensuring fair economic competition.
The UK has rejected an EU demand made earlier in the year for it to continue following the bloc’s rules on such subsidies as part of a trade agreement.
Lord Frost has suggested the UK could instead agree “principles” for how subsidies are spent - something welcomed by Mr Barnier on Wednesday.
The two sides are also haggling over how much European fishing boats should be able to catch in British waters from next year.
The EU has so far resisted UK demands for annual talks to decide stock limits, as well as a reduction in access for its vessels to British fishing grounds.