Does ‘no progress’ in EU trade talks mean hopes of a post-Brexit deal are fading?

There is still time to come to an agreement – but whether that deal can be done is another question entirely, writes John Rentoul

The only question is whether both sides have a sufficient common interest in reaching a deal to make it work (Rex Features)

Still no progress in the EU-UK trade talks, as on Friday the two sides merely published a timetable for more talks next week. “Intensified discussions with the EU are ongoing,” said the British side. “These continue to be constructive and useful, although significant differences still remain between us on a number of important issues.”

There is still time to do a deal by the end of the year, although it would be a “bare bones” agreement, leaving many of the thorny problems to be sorted out later. That is possible because, uniquely, this is a trade deal to allow the two sides to diverge rather than to converge.

The only question is whether both sides have a sufficient common interest in reaching a deal to make it work. Neither side wants a no-deal outcome, which would require them to impose tariffs on each other under World Trade Organisation rules, but equally neither side wants to be seen to concede too much.