The European Union suspects that the UK government is deliberately stalling on the trade agreement. EU authorities cannot find another reasonable explanation for its behaviour. They fear that Britain does not intend to sign the document at all, waiting for the end of 2020 when the country is slated to exit Europe's trade and customs arrangements. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that Britain would not extend the transition period and would leave the EU on time in any case. This tough stance of London made Brussels doubt as to whether the British government wants to sign a new trade deal. The UK, in turn, believes that Brussels is offering an unfair trade agreement. Director of The U.K. in a Changing Europe Anand Menon said that none of the parties seemed to be ready to make concessions and there would hardly be a breakthrough in this week's talks. Nevertheless, the next round of post-Brexit trade negotiations are expected to reveal prospects for the UK's future relationship with the European Union.
