We'll thrive without Brexit deal, says British Premier

London, December 21

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that there were still problems in Brexit trade talks and that Britain would thrive without a deal.

“The position is unchanged: there are problems," Johnson told reporters when asked if there would be a trade deal. "Its vital that everybody understands that the UK has got to be able to control its own laws and also that we’ve got to be able to control our own fisheries.”

“WTO terms would be more than satisfactory for the UK. And we can certainly cope with any difficulties that are thrown our way. Not that we don't want a deal but that WTO terms would be entirely satisfactory,” he said.

Unless Johnson can strike a trade deal with the EU in the next 10 days, the UK will leave the bloc's informal membership on December 31.

Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on the UK to extend the Brexit transition period to prevent further chaos on the borders. — Agencies