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BREXIT: LIAM FOX DISCUSSES 'COMPLICATIONS' AROUND EU TRADE DEAL Boris Johnson's Europe advisor David Frost has travelled to Brussels, armed with a team of some 100 UK
officials, for the first round of post-Brexit trade talks with the EU. The second round of talks will be held in London later this month, with more due to follow every 2-3 weeks. Both the UK
and European Union published their negotiating mandates last week ahead of the crunch trade talks, with both sides hoping to secure a full trade agreement (FTA). THIS POLL HAS NOW CLOSED -
SEE RESULTS HERE. RELATED ARTICLES But the plans once again highlighted the huge divides between the two sides across a number of key areas in the post-Brexit future relationship. Mr
Johnson wants a deal with the EU to be concluded before the end of the transition period in December, which he is refusing to extend. But the Prime Minister has threatened to walk away from
the negotiating table in June if he feels insufficient progress has been made up to that point. The huge disagreements and threats from both side have heightened fears talks could quickly
collapse and result in a no deal Brexit, resulting in no agreement over an FTA whatsoever. Brexit poll: Do you think Boris Johnson will secure a trade deal with the EU? (Image: GETTY) Mr
Johnson is pushing for a comprehensive Canada-style deal - which would eliminate most import taxes but still require some border checks - as well as demands over fishing, state subsidies and
standards. But Mr Barnier has ruled this out, claiming it would not be suitable for Britain due to its close proximity and links to the continent. The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator is
instead demanding the UK signs up to a number of “level-playing field” rules set by Brussels. The bloc also wants little to change in terms of fishing quotas and access to British waters for
European boats. READ MORE: LEO VARADKAR SHAMED: EXPERT REVEALS IRISH PM’S BIGGEST MISTAKE Brexit poll: Boris Johnson has threatened to walk away from EU talks in June (Image: GETTY) RELATED
ARTICLES On the even of talks in Brussels, Mr Barnier warned he will not be fooled by the Prime Minister in the upcoming trade deal talks. He told German newspaper Der Spiegel: “We are both
politicians. That is the basis on which we understand and respect each other. “I admire the stock of energy he can draw on in negotiations. Johnson is very clever, but he also knows I have
been in this business for a long time and that I’m not going to allow myself to be fooled.” The biggest sticking point - even before trade deal talks have kicked off - appears to be whether
EU boats will have access to fish in British waters following the conclusion of the transition period. DON'T MISS LIAM FOX EXPOSES REAL REASON FRANCE'S MACRON IS SO STUBBORN ON
BREXIT [VIDEO] HOW SNP 'HARDLY LIFTED FINGER' TO STOP BREXIT [INSIGHT] BREXIT TRADE THREAT: LIZ TRUSS WARNS BRUSSELS OVER FISHING [INTERVIEW] Brexit poll: Michel Barnier is
demanding the UK signs up to a number of 'level-playing field' rules (Image: REUTERS) Brexit poll: Emmanuel Macron has pledged to “fight” for French fishermen over access to
British waters (Image: GETTY) Mr Johnson has insisted Britain will “take back control of our waters” and pledged to do everything he can to protect UK fishermen in trade negotiations. But
the EU has been left furious and is demanding access to British waters as part of any agreement, with French President Emmanuel Macron particularly vocal on the issue. Last month, he pledged
to “fight” for French fishermen in the negotiations over access to British waters and would demand compensation if they are barred from entering after the transition period in December. He
said: “I want to tell our fishermen that I will fight for them. If we do not get the same access as today, we will seek compensation Brexit poll: The UK wants a free trade agreement with the
EU signed before the end of 2020 (Image: EXPRESS) “I will not let our fishermen pay for a British vote they could do nothing about.” French European Affairs Minister Amelie de Montchalin
warned the EU may not be able to agree to a final trade deal with the UK unless common ground is reached on access to British waters - even threatening to ban the sale of British fish in the
continent. She told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “We know how to make it a very nasty battle, both sides, where politicians in the UK and in France are put in a very difficult situation. In
the end, we will both lose. “We are interdependent. We can choose a route where we have a lose-lose situation. No access for fishermen to waters, and then, no access for fish of UK fishermen
to European soil. I am not sure this is a rational way to go.” Brexit poll: Amelie de Montchalin sent a warning to the UK over trade talks (Image: GETTY) But on Monday, International Trade
Secretary Liz Truss warned the UK will not sacrifice fishing as part of any trade deal. She told BBC Breakfast: “We are not going to trade away our fishing in a deal with the EU or any other
negotiating partner for that matter. “We are going to get a deal with the EU that does not involve selling out our fishing.”