Good progress is being made in the negotiations for a trade deal between the United Kingdom and the European Union. This is what British Education Minister Gavin Williamson told Sky news channel.

Williamson stated that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government would not sign a Brexit deal that goes against British interests.

The minister said he expects the negotiations to be pushed to the limit, but that this is characteristic when it comes to talks with the EU. “What I have heard is that good progress is being made, but we are only closing a deal that is good for the UK. If that deal does not materialize, we will not sign,” said Williamson.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier is said to have said that the main stumbling blocks in the negotiations have not yet been removed.

This concerns the access of European fishermen to British waters, equal opportunities for British and European companies and how to monitor whether both sides adhere to the agreements made.

The British left the EU at the end of January. A transition period will apply until the end of the year, during which they will still follow European rules. Without a trade agreement, all kinds of restrictions will apply from 1 January, such as reciprocal import duties.