EU, UK still at loggerheads in post-Brexit negotiations

With deline for a possible extension of Brexit transition period looming, a fourth round of talks on a future tre deal between European Union and U.K. ended Friday without result. Following four days of video discussions between officials from two teams of negotiators, sides remained at loggerhes on many topics, including on regulations for businesses. ir positions on fisheries remain distant, with U.K. opposed to EU demands for long-term access to British waters.

“re was significant progress this week," EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said during a press conference.

U.K. left political institutions of EU on Jan. 31 but remains inside EU’s tariff-free single market and customs union until end of year. That so-called transition period can be extended by two years to allow more time for a satisfying compromise, yet a request to do so has to be me by July 1. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly said he won’t be asking for a delay. best hope for a quick breakthrough w rests on a high-level political meeting between Johnson and EU’s top official, Ursula Von der Leyen, scheduled for later this month. If y don’t reach an agreement by end of year, tariffs and quotas will return on tre between two sides and U.K. will be treated as