France dismisses PM’s tough talk on trade deal
Boris Johnson's pledge to walk away from EU trade talks if there is no deal by the end of the year has been criticised by a senior French minister.
The prime minister has insisted Britain is willing to revert to base-level World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules if an agreement is not in place for 31 December 2020.
That would see big taxes slapped on products exported by businesses to EU countries. But trying to pile pressure on the prime minister ahead of negotiations officially kick-starting next week, the French minister for Europe, Amelie de Montchalin, called the 10-month timeframe an artificial deadline.
Ms de Montchalin said we do not accept time pressure and warned Downing Street not to underestimate the unity of the EU27 leaders.
She also took on Mr Johnson'...