It seems like Emmanuel Macron bridge between whether the U.K. and European Union will get a trade deal.
Government Officials on both ends see the French president as the wild card who could damage an agreement at the last minute, if he sees there’s more to gain by refusing to compromise.
With the French presidential elections down the road i.e. two years away and his ratings flagging in the middle of an economy hit hard by the COVID-19, the officials say they fear Macron could think there are votes to be had in standing up to England. Another negotiating round gets under way in Brussels next week, with both sides expecting to close in on deal by the end of September.
While U.K. and EU officials are now moving slowly towards a deal, Macron and the other leaders of the bloc’s 27 countries have scarcely analysed Brexit since talks on the two sides’ future relationship started in end of February. That will change after the summer when they will be asked to approve or reject any agreement.
A U.K. government official said, “The EU continues to insist on access to U.K. fishing waters in a way that is incompatible with our future status as an independent coastal state,” asking not to be named in line with policy. The official denied to comment on Macron’s play in talks
