Theresa May could be offered 'landing zone' by EU to FINALLY start discussing trade

BRUSSELS could be willing to soften its stance on trade talks, opening up the possibility of discussing a post-Brexit deal by mid-December.

British negotiators are in Belgium this week for the fifth round of stalled divorce talks, but Eurocrats have expressed doubt any meaningful progress will be made, saying today “the ball is in the UK’s court”. 

Brussels has maintained key issues, including the rights of EU citizens, the Northern Ireland border and the so-called divorce bill, must be resolved before any talks on what a new UK/EU trade deal would involve. 

But European diplomats are saying EU leaders could be prepared to throw Theresa May a bone and ease their position this week in recognition of the political challenges she faces at home - including calls by some Brexiteers for the UK to walk away without a deal. 

A senior diplomat told the news agency: “My guess is the leaders will try to find some positive elements.”

Mrs May could be offered hope of a "landing zone" on trade talks, they added, which would likely be the next scheduled summit in mid-December.
Another senior official said: “[Theresa May] is in a difficult situation if she goes out there and there is nothing tangible on our side.”
The source said EU governments wanted to “keep up momentum for a deal that would avoid legal chaos across Europe”.
They added: "We'll try to be neutral, maybe even offer an encouraging line to stay engaged."

Both Britain and the EU had initially been optimistic they would be able to have reached an agreement on key issues to move on to trade talks by October.
But the Prime Minister’s team said today her Florence speech last month contained all the compromises the UK is willing to make.
In the address, which was praised as “constructive” by EU bosses, Mrs May pledged to honour the UK’s commitment to Europe’s long-term budget plans, at a cost of at least £9billion.
She also discussed plans for a two year transition period, which would come in to force after the UK formally leaves in March 2019 and give businesses both at home and on the continent chance to adapt to any new rules.

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