PARIS (FRANCE) – Negotiations between Britain and the European Union over a post-Brexit trade deal are complicated and France will oppose any pact that “sacrifices” its fishermen, said French European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune on Tuesday.
Beaune told RMC radio, reiterating that France would veto any agreement if it considers it as a “bad” deal, “On fisheries there is no reason to yield to Britain’s pressure. We can make some efforts but sacrificing fisheries and fishermen, no.”
A senior UK government source said on Monday there was “every chance we are not going to get there” with a deal and EU officials have said, if anything, negotiations had gone backwards.
Asked if there was still a chance to reach a deal, Beaune said: “I do not want to acknowledge a failure (of the talks). I think we still have a few days to negotiate.”