British negotiators, led by Lord Frost, were left shocked when the EU made 'laughable' demands on fish, including 'total access' to British waters for 10 years, meaning Britain would have no control, reported The Telegraph. Other sticking points include rules on state subsidies for business and arrangements for policing any deal.
Despite the UK asking for 80 per cent of the EU's current fishing quotas, the EU has reverted to its original offer of giving back just 18 per cent.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was ready to accept the inclusion of 'non-regression clauses' into the deal, which would have guaranteed no cuts to current standards on state aid subsidies, workers' rights and environmental standards.
But European Union chief negotiator Michel Barnier is then said to have dramatically brought back earlier demands for a so-called 'ratchet clause' to make the UK follow future EU laws in these areas. Britain would be threatened with retaliatory tariffs if standards fell below those in the EU.
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