European Commission expresses serious concern over Brexit-deal

European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen has expressed “serious concern” over whether the bloc could conclude a post-Brexit trade deal with Britain within the 2020 deadline, Report informs, citing Interfax.

“I am very worried given the little time we have,” von der Leyen told France’s Les Echos newspaper in an interview published today.

“It’s not only about negotiating a free trade deal but many other subjects. It seems to me that on both sides we must ask ourselves seriously if all these negotiations are feasible in such a short time,” she said.

The European Commission chief pointed out that in the middle of next year it would be reasonable to review things 'if an extension is needed.'

The UK and the EU will have to conclude a trade agreement in the transition period after Brexit. In this case, negotiators will only have 11 months to conclude a trade agreement.

In turn, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to achieve a trade agreement with the EU by December 2020. If London and Brussels fail to reach an agreement, they will have to trade under the rules of the world trade organization, and this will mean an economic shock for both the UK and the European Union. Moreover, it became known earlier that Johnson intends to introduce a provision in the draft agreement on Brexit that will limit the transition period to 2020.