Barnier: Brexit trade deal 'seems unlikely'

The European Union and Britain ended another negotiating round on their future trade ties after Brexit in deep deadlock on Friday with EU negotiator Michel Barnier saying any chance of a deal seemed to be slipping away.

"Too often this week it felt as if we were going backwards more than forward given the short time left," he said in a damning assessment of the talks.

"I simply do not understand why we are wasting valuable time," he said after the 7th round of talks.

The British side left just as frustrated, saying the EU kept insisting that Britain would have to continue to adhere to EU rules for full free trade even though the nation left the bloc on Jan. 31.

Barnier insisted both sides were facing an effective end of October deadline, which would allow legal vetting and approvals before any deal could come into force on Jan. 1, 2021 when the transition period from member state to non-EU member ends.

The parties disagree on state aid for businesses and on fisheries, with the UK opposed to EU demands for long-term access to British waters.

Both say they want to avoid a "no deal" scenario that would see tariffs and other restrictions imposed on trade.

Britain is seeking a free-trade pact similar to one the EU negotiated with Canada.

The EU wants to ensure both sides have similar rules on a wide range of issues, including workers' rights, the environment and government subsidies, before discussing such an agreement.