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EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, wearing a protective face covering to combat the spread of coronavirus, walks to a conference center in central London, England, on Dec. 3, 2020.
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European Union and U.K. officials quoted by Reuters said on Thursday that a treaty regulating the two sides’ future trade relationship could be agreed before the weekend. But hard-liners in both camps reiterated their longstanding views that the absence of a deal would be preferable to an agreement that would ignore their red lines.
Read: Britain is unprepared for real Brexit: official reports
The outlook: As expected, the talks are going to the wire and negotiators have just another week to strike a deal. Lassitude can be expected from all parties after 10 months of fruitless negotiations. But the current coronavirus-induced recession may help sober up minds on the economic risks of a “no-deal” Brexit.
Rumors that some differences have begun to split the European side, with proponents of a tough line worried that Barnier is conceding too much to the U.K., may be part of the negotiating game, and intended to show London that now is really the time to sign a deal. But even in the last days, more saber rattling, shadow boxing and foot trampling can safely be expected.
Read: Here’s why cod and haddock threaten to scuttle trade talks as both EU and U.K. send Brexit warnings
