Boris Johnson’s next Brexit hurdle of securing a Brexit trade deal with the EU in 2020 could prove too difficult. Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans hinted the European Union may extend the deadline if a trade deal does not “look after the interests of the EU”. While on Sky News Mr Timmermans also noted the EU would defend its position to ensure it would satisfy its citizens.

Sky News’ Kay Burley began by saying: “We have to look towards June to decide whether or not to extend past the end of the year.

“Boris Johnson has said that is not happening under any circumstances.

“That means that we have to do these trade deals by the end of the year, probably and most likely in conjunction with trade deals with the United States, is it possible?”

Mr Timmermans replied: “We will see.

“I think the EU will negotiate in good faith because the EU fully understands that it is in our interest to have a very good trade deal with the United Kingdom.

“But it is clear that we will have to defend our position.”

The Vice President went on to say: “I just want to take this step by step.

“President Ursula von der Leyen and Michel Barnier have made it abundantly clear how we see this.

“In our view, this is a very complicated matter that will take time.

“But I have also taken note of what Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said about this.

“Let’s see what happens.

“The only thing I want to say today is that we will be negotiating in good faith.

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“But we will have to look after the interests of the EU and its citizens.

“Our citizens demand of us that we maintain the highest level of environmental and social protection.

“This is something that in the course of the last couple of years has become more urgent for most of our citizens.

“So we will make sure that we look after their interests.”

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