London, United Kingdom — A Brexit trade deal between Britain and the European Union looked to be hanging in the balance on Friday after leaders on both sides of the Channel gave a gloomy assessment of progress in last-gasp talks.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen have given their negotiators until Sunday before a decision is made on whether to keep talking or give up.
The mood worsened after von der Leyen told EU leaders at a marathon Brussels summit there were “low expectations” and the “probability of a no-deal is higher than of a deal”.
Ireland and Germany tried to raise spirits, agreeing that a pact was “difficult but still…
Keep on reading: Brexit hopes dim as Johnson says failure ‘very likely’