The UK left the EU earlier in the year, and the transition period, during which it had been hoped that a deal could be reached, is set to end on December 31st.

There had been suggestiosn that the transition period could be extended due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, but as of yet, no such agreement has been reached, nor does a trade deal look likely.

Johnson spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel this week to discuss the latest on the deal ahead of the European Council meeting later this month.

However, it seems that little progress has been made on striking an agreement, with Johnson declaring his disappointment over the talks.

“The Prime Minister noted the desirability of a deal, but expressed his disappointment that more progress had not been made over the past two weeks,” Downing Street says in a statement.

Downing Street adds that Johnson will await the outcome of the European Council and reflect on this before setting out the UK’s next steps.

Brexit uncertainty continues to cause headaches across the industry, in what has been an extremely tough year for many businesses, due to the issues caused by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

Any lasting hopes of a deal being agreed before the end of the transition period now look extremely unlikely, with von der Leyen saying that while the EU did want to strike an agreement, it would do so, “but not at any price”.

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